Fran Manushkin - Helping Mayor Patty

Katie told Pedro and JoJo, We have a new neighbor!

They ran to meet her.

Hi! said the girl. My name is Haley OHara.

Cool name, said Katie.

I have five brothers and sisters, Haley bragged.

We have enough players for a soccer team, said Katie.

Lets do it! yelled Haley. My brothers and sisters are already playing.

Katies mom told her, You can play later. Today is Aunt Pattys first town meeting as our new . Lets go wish her luck.

At City Hall, Mayor Patty said, Today our .

Katie smiled. I love money.

First lets begin by talking about what each .

My neighborhood is growing, said Mr. Mann. We need a fire station.

Pedro told Katie, Our neighborhood needs ice cream.

Our streetlights are not bright, said Ms. Miller. We need better ones.

My streetlight is fine, Katie told JoJo. I can sit by my window and read.

I wonder what our neighborhood needs, Katie said to her friends. I will draw a picture of our block. It will help me think.

Mr. Davis raised his hand and said, Please send someone to stop pesky squirrels from eating all my bird food.

Mayor Patty told Mr. Davis, Im sorry. Our town cant fix that.

Ill help you, said Pedros mom. Ill show you a better bird feeder.

An angry man said, We need more garbage cans. Our blocks are stinky.

Pew! Katie laughed. Im glad our block is not stinky.

Katie told JoJo, Look at my picture. What is missing from our block?

How about puppies in every yard? said JoJo.

Puppies would be fun! said Katie. But not necessary.

On hot days, said Pedro, ice cream is necessary.

Lets think, said JoJo. What did we see on our way here?

I saw kids playing in the street, said Pedro. A lot of them!

Thats it! said Katie. Playing in the street is dangerous. I know what our neighborhood needs: a park!

A park for baseball! said JoJo.

And soccer! said Pedro.

And sledding! shouted Katie.

Katie raised her hand. In our neighborhood, kids are playing in the street. We need a park.

Lets vote on it! said Mayor Patty.

The council began to vote. They voted to spend money on a new fire station, better lights, more garbage cans, and... a park!

On the way home, Katie told Haley OHara, Soon there will be a big surprise for you! Your brothers and sisters will like it too.

They did!

1. What traits make a good mayor? Would you like to be a mayor? Why or why not?
2. In cities, being a mayor is usually a full-time job. In smaller communities, the mayor often has another job too. Who is the mayor in your town or city? Does he or she have another job?
3. Now that you know who your mayor is, write him or her a letter! Share an idea you have for the city, or write and ask him or her to visit your school. An adult can help you mail your letter.
4. Imagine Aunt Patty hasnt been elected mayor yet. Make a poster asking people to vote for her. Be sure to include a reason why she would make a good mayor.
5. Compare Pedros idea for ice cream to Katies idea for a park. What do you think would have happened if Pedro would have asked Mayor Patty to vote for ice cream?

• Katie: Hello, Mayor Aunt Patty! Thanks for talking to me about your job!
  Mayor Patty: Of course, Katie. Its my pleasure.
• Katie: So how did you become mayor? Did you go to a special mayor class?
  Mayor Patty: Theres no special training to become a mayor. But you do need to win an election.
• Katie: Whats an election?