The room was filled with the chatter and excitement of high school students from across the state as Bowling Green City Council met on Monday.

The eager and interested students were at the meeting as part of the Summer Honors Institute, a University program for students who show exemplary work in their studies. The students at the meeting were especially interested in politics and got a warm welcome from Bowling Green Mayor John Quinn.

Quinn recognized them for their achievements and said he “hopes they are having a great experience.”

Quinn also presented a certificate to Michelle Grigore, parks and recreation director, that declared July as “Parks and Recreation Month” for the City of Bowling Green.

The mayor stressed to the audience how important the parks and recreational activities are to the city. They stimulate tourism, are vital to the city’s appearance and draw businesses and residential housing to the area.

Mike Frost, council member, commented on the great turnout of the “Classics on Main” car show held last Saturday downtown. He also extended thanks to Earlene Kilpatrick, Main Street BG executive director, who is in charge of the activities held on Main Street and helped organize the event.

Gary Spencer, chief of the Bowling Green Police Division, announced plans for a community crime prevention event to be held on Aug. 7, on the 100 block of Main Sreet. The event will be from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and the division invites the entire community to attend. The turnout the past few years have been about 300 people. Spencer teased the council and the audience that they would find him “in the dunking booth” if they came.

Spencer also announced the Division will be going through an accreditation inspection on Aug. 11, by the Commission for the Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies from Arlington, Va. The division must meet 400 standards and face a review of their policies and procedures. The inspectors will be in town for five days and the report will be filed in November. The division is under inspection every three years.

The report will determine if the police department will maintain accreditation. Spencer said less than 50 police divisions in Ohio are accredited and Bowling Green was the first in Northwest Ohio, given in 1993.