Elected officials from Douglas were among nearly 800 city officials to attend the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual Mayors’ Day Conference in Atlanta Jan. 23-26. The annual conference provides city officials with an opportunity to learn more about legislation under consideration at the Georgia Capitol, attend training sessions, and hear from state leaders.
“Attending Mayors’ Day gives us an opportunity to hear about legislation affecting our cities so we can then discuss these issues with our legislators, and it also gives us a voice in shaping GMA’s legislative policies,” said Mayor James Dennis.
While attending the conference, several Douglas officials were recognized for their training efforts. Mayor James H. Dennis received the prestigious Certificate of Achievement from the Georgia Municipal Training Institute. To receive a Certificate of Achievement, a city official must complete 72 units of credit, including 36 hours from a required list. The training consists of a series of more than 50 courses.
Commissioner Bob Moore and Commissioner Marty Swain received the esteemed Certificate of Distinction. To receive the Certificate of Recognition, an elected official must complete 204 units of credit including at least 72 hours from the required list and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. The training program consists of more than 50 courses.
The Certificate of Distinction is the highest level of Georgia Municipal Association Training certification. Moore and Swain were two of six officials to receive the Certificate of Distinction at Mayors’ Day.
“These certificates are an outstanding achievement,” said GMA Executive Director Lamar Norton. “We commend Mayor Dennis, Commissioner Moore and Commissioner Swain for their accomplishments and the dedication they have shown in using these valuable resources to become more effective city officials.”
Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, research, training, and employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 521 member cities.
-Submitted by the City of Douglas