around the state and the ACCG team at work. Email your photos to bbrown@accg.org.

The Georgia General Assembly wrapped up the fourth week of this year's legislative session on Friday. Bills with potential impact to counties are picking up, so it is important for county officials to stay informed. Tune in to the ACCG Policy Team's Zoom on Friday mornings or catch up by reading the ACCG Legislative Update on Friday afternoons. Find links to both of these legislative resources here.

Columbia County Manager Scott Johnson (who is also an ACCG Board member) proudly wore his ACCG mask when he visited the Capitol this week with Chairman Doug Duncan and Vice Chair Gary Richardson. The trio participated in the House Judicial Committee hearing on S.B. 9, which establishes Columbia County as its own Judicial Circuit.

Catoosa County recently was recognized with an "Excellence in Learning Award" by LeaderGov for its successful completion of a yearlong professional development and leadership development program that supports employees in ways that help them deliver the highest possible quality of service to citizens. Department leaders and employees participated in 690 hours of live learning and completed more than 350 online leadership and teamwork courses as part of the program.

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners recently celebrated the arrival of nine new vehicles, as a result of having three projects awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program, including four pickup trucks equipped as patrol units for the Sheriff's Department, five equipped pickup trucks for the Roads Department and one equipped ambulance for EMS. These new vehicles replace others as old as 1994 with high mileage and high maintenance costs.

The Mitchell County Commission recognized two significant retirements at a recent work session. Chairman Ben Hayward (also an ACCG Board member) presented plaques to Jackie Batchelor (pictured right) for serving as tax commissioner for 29 years and William "Randy" Johnson for serving as E911 Director for 17 years.

Did you know that there are seven Putnam Counties across the United States? In December, Putnam County, Florida commissioners drove to Putnam County, Georgia to participate in a barbecue cook-off during one of the early voting Saturdays for the Georgia Senate runoff. Putnam County (Georgia) Chairman Billy Webster reported that Georgia prevailed in a blind taste test. Putnam County (Florida) Chairman Larry Harvey said it won't be the last time that these counties with similar names get together.

Name: Kathleen Bowen

Program: ACCG Legislative Advocacy

Position: Associate Legislative Director

Joined ACCG: 2006

About Kathleen: When Kathleen was a kid, her dream was to sing a radio jingle/commercial. Her love of music even led her to an internship at MTV in NYC! She has worked in all levels of government from the federal level in a Congressional office in Washington, D.C., to the state level in the office of a Georgia Governor and now at the local level!. Kathleen currently lives in DeKalb County with her husband (Will) and children - son, William (10) and daughter, Ollie (7).

ACCG wants to share positive news about events and projects from your county with your peers from across the state. Photos and story ideas submitted to ACCG for Georgia's Local Lens or the Georgia County Spotlight may be used in this e-newsletter or on ACCG's website or social media. Photos and other information used are provided courtesy of our county constituents and ACCG staff. For questions or information, please contact Beth Brown at bbrown@accg.org.