If you talk to Mary Stander about how involved she is in her local government, she will tell you that nothing stands in her way.

Stander, a 77-year-old Sparks resident, is an avid participant in local government proceedings, often attending council meetings despite restrictive health conditions. Her hope is that others would do the same.

"If people actually went to the city council meetings, they could see what's really going on," Stander said. "Then they could contribute to their community and meet other people that are interested in similar things. I want to see where my presence is appreciated."

Stander was one of 15 people who participated on Friday in the first annual Sparks Citizens Academy, a program designed to promote just that-citizen participation in the Sparks community and government.

The academy is based on the city’s youth academy program and was pushed forward by councilman Ron Schmitt.

As a means of boosting citizen participation, Schmitt created the program to offer interested local residents an opportunity to tour government agencies, from the police department to the water reclamation center, and visit places like the city courthouse and the Legends at the Sparks Marina construction site.

"The government has been involved in your life since before you were born" Schmitt said. "We want you to ask yourselves today how involved are you in your government."

The tour began at the Sparks Police Department, where members were given a hands-on course, reviewing the special canine unit, the traffic enforcement team and the SPD SWAT team. Participants were encouraged to try out radar guns and wear official SWAT gear.

Members then visited the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility and were given a complete guided tour and explanation of wastewater reclamation.

Alan Minor, maintenance superintendent of TMWRF, was delighted at the opportunity to bring the academy to the facility.

"I really believe this academy is a great idea," Minor said. "It's going to let people know exactly what is going on with a kind of behind-the-scenes-look."

At the city courthouse, participants watched a criminal hearing presided over by Judge Barbara McCarthy.

The academy ended for the day with a tour of the upcoming Legends development.

Marc De La Torre, the citizen services coordinator for the city of Sparks, believed the program to be an effective way to teach people and thereby bridge a gap between citizens and their government.

"Most people see us just as a bureaucratic entity," De La Torre said. "But this gives us an opportunity to open our doors so people can see what their tax money is paying for. It's an education."

The academy’s particpants agreed. Many of them have lived in Sparks for several years but did not know much about the city or where their tax money goes.

"It's interesting how you can live someplace for a long time and not know anything about how it works," said Katharine Zimmet, a 69-year-old retiree and a Sparks resident since 1970. "I'm glad I finally have some time to devote to this."

The two-day academy will be completed May 16, after which, participants will graduate and be eligible for a Sparks Citizens Leadership to be held next fall.