SLIGO, Clarion County — America's unofficial youngest mayor has been at the helm of her borough for less than a month, but is learning quickly.

"I'm still learning the dos and don'ts, knowing what to jump into and what not to jump into," Jenny L. Barger said.

Barger, 20, assumed office Feb. 11, filling the position of Mark Rummell, who resigned late last year. Council President Dean Steiner served as mayor during the interim.

Barger was the only person who at the time was interested and eligible for the position. She had no prior political experience.

Barger's first council meeting included a synopsis of her experiences at a workshop on Pennsylvania's public information laws, as well as discussion on Sligo's emergency operations plan for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

Berger is a third semester student at Butler County Community College, where she is studying hospitality and tourism with the hope of working for Disney one day.

The 2006 graduate of Union High School also babysits and is active in the choir and scrapbooking club at Sligo Church of the Nazarene.

In addition to her church and municipal responsibilities, Barger also is a member of Sligo's theater group.

"It seems as soon as I lay down my alarm is going off again," Barger said.

But she still intends to pursue the office of mayor on a more permanent basis. Her appointment lasts only until this fall, when the position must be filled in the general election.

Barger already has gathered the necessary 10 signatures to participate in the primary this spring.

"I turned in my petition last week. I had more signatures than my father," she said, smiling.

Jim Barger, vice president of the borough council and Jenny's father, said she brings a lot of fresh ideas to the table.

In addition to sidewalk repairs and the construction of a senior center, Jenny Barger has suggested a resurrection of the borough's community days and some sort of historical tribute to the small community in its municipal building.

"There has never been a place where people saved memorabilia from Sligo," Jim Barger said.

Among the items on Jenny Barger's list are bricks from the former Sligo Brick plant and the company seal from an iron furnace erected by the founders of Sligo in 1845.

As it happens, Jim Barger possesses the Lyon family seal, which his daughter already has asked him to donate to the borough.

"Everybody on the board was worried about us agreeing too much. We never agree," Jenny Barger said.

Barger has provided interviews to several newspaper and television media outlets, but said she has yet to receive a call from any of Sligo's citizens.

"I'm waiting for it. I heard of a few that might be calling," Jenny Barger said.

In the meantime, she will continue to learn the ins and outs of her position, and perhaps acquire a few of the perks of the position.

"I don't have a desk yet, or keys to the building. If I need to do anything, I have to use the office upstairs," Jenny Barger said.