Most of us know our mayor or township supervisors. We see city, borough and township government every day. They provide the police who patrol the streets and the workers who fix those streets after harsh winter weather. But few know the details of county government.

Yet it is this government that provides both wedding and divorce documents. This is where people go to get their passport or hunting license. This is the government that cares for abused and neglected children, seniors with nowhere to go and mentally distraught people. It fixes bridges. It makes sure that, when you pump a gallon of gas, you really get a gallon. It handles the cases brought to it by police. It helps local municipalities attract new business.

Thanks to the Northampton County Citizens' Academy, nine people have a better understanding of just how government works. They were honored at the Nov. 20 meeting of county council as the third graduating class.

This year's class went through 20 hours of lectures, listening to 37 speakers over the course of 10 weeks.

Last year's graduates included Glenn Geissinger and Mat Benol, both of whom are now members of Northampton County Council. Former council member Ladd Siftar called it a great idea. He said, "I wish I had thought of it 20 years ago."

The graduates are Katie Crowell, Nancy Jones, Christopher Lynn, Sherrie McNicoll, Sandi Meuir, Mona Rodriguez, Victor Schmidt, Eileen Segal and Jeannene Smith.