MERRILLVILLE | Some area youths got a taste of what it's like to be a town leader as they sat with town councilmen and department heads during Tuesday's Town Council meeting.

While councilmen took official votes on town business, the youngsters helped out by reading reports from various departments and town committees and conducting their own mock votes on issues.

Town leaders had children take part in the meeting to celebrate Municipal Government Week.

Councilman Richard Hardaway, who coordinated the event, said Merrillville has hosted similar activities in the past, but Tuesday's meeting stood out because the children were more involved.

"I think they enjoyed it," Hardaway said, "You can see that."

The town had an essay contest at Merrillville Intermediate School to decide which student would sit with Town Administrator Howard Fink during the meeting. Students wrote what they would do if they could be administrator for a day. Antonia Stewart, 11, was the winner.

She received a bicycle for her winning entry and will have the opportunity to shadow Fink on the job for a day.

Hardaway's grandson, Christopher Hardaway, 14, said he had a great time sharing the dais with his grandfather.

Ashley Breger, 10, also enjoyed her experience as the town's zoning director.

Breger, who is blind, read an excerpt to town leaders and the audience from a book she wrote. The excerpt from "My Life as a Blind Person" explained how a cane and a seeing eye dog can help her. Breger hopes to have the book published.

In other business, the council denied Hope in Christ Church's request to open a child care ministry at 5468 Broadway. Steve Bower, town attorney, said the child care center does not qualify as an accessory use for a church since the facility would be in a different location than the church.