City leaders recognized for accomplishments at Georgia Municipal Association annual convention

Elected officials from Douglas were among hundreds of city officials to attend the Georgia Municipal Association’s Annual Conference in Savannah June 24-June 26, 2018. The annual conference provides city officials with an opportunity to learn more about legislation under consideration, attend training sessions, and hear from state leaders.

Mayor Tony Paulk, Mayor Pro Tem Kentaiwon Durham and Commissioner Edwin Taylor were recognized for completing the annual Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. The multi-day Leadership Institute, co-sponsored by GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, featured a nationally recognized training development consultant and speaker. Participants also engaged in role-playing exercises designed to cultivate and enhance leadership skills.

“We commend Douglas officials for attending this program,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson. “The Leadership Institute is an outstanding program and widely acknowledged as one of the best of its type in the country. We highly recommend it to any city official who wants to be a more effective community leader.”

 In addition to completion of the Leadership Institute, Mayor Tony Paulk received the Certificate of Excellence from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. To receive a Certificate of Excellence, a city official must complete a minimum of 120 hours of training, including at least 54 hours from a list of required courses, the Newly Elected Officials Institute and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute.

Commissioner Cindy McNeill received GMA’s Certificate of Achievement from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. To receive a Certificate of Achievement, a city official must complete a minimum of 72 units of credit, including at least 36 hours from a list of required courses. The training program consists of a series of more than 60 courses.

Commissioner Mike Gowen and Commissioner Edwin Taylor received the Certificate of Recognition from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. To receive a Certificate of Recognition, a city official must complete a minimum of 42 units of credit, including at least 18 hours from a list of required courses. The training program consists of a series of more than 50 courses.

GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson stated, “We applaud Mayor Paulk, Mayor Pro Tem Durham, Commissioner McNeill, Commissioner Taylor, and Commissioner Gowen for the dedication they have shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official.”

Congratulations to all the attendees and city officials who were recognized at this year’s GMA Convention. For more information about GMA and their benefits offered to Georgia cities, please visit their website, http://gmanet.com.

Commissioner Cindy McNeill and Mayor Tony Paulk