Georgia's Local Lens (Week of July 3, 2021): Have a Safe & Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Each week ACCG shares photos highlighting activities from counties

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

Brooks County Courthouse Decorated for the Fourth of July Weekend

American flags were proudly waving around the Brooks County Courthouse this week in preparation for the Fourth of July weekend. Community members honored family, service members and others by sponsoring one of the flags. Elizabeth Brownlee (pictured right), daughter of ACCG County Consulting Services Associate Mary Beth Brownlee, enjoyed the display when she and her mother stopped by one afternoon this week.

On behalf of the entire ACCG staff, we wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend!

IRT Program Provides Free Healthcare in Hancock County

The East Central Georgia Medical Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) team returned to the Hancock County Health Department in June. This initiative provides no cost health services to local communities and gives military medical, engineering and support personnel the opportunity to receive training. Over a period of 8 days, they saw 368 patients and provided services valued at $133,917.

Calhoun County Receives

AARP Certification

Calhoun County recently received certification as part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. This program helps local leaders meet the needs of their community's older adults and prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S. population. To learn more, click here.

Communities Working to Combat Litter

Union County recently launched a new Litter Awareness Campaign to help combat roadside litter. The campaign included a contest based on the number of miles of trash collected. The first place prize of $300 went to Doreen Sasso for picking up a total of 19.25 miles. Pictured from left to right: Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris, Doreen Sasso, Christine Ferras (3rd place) and Cheryl Damon (2nd place).

Keep Thomas County Beautiful (KTCB), along with Thomas County Code Enforcement officers and volunteers work collectively to clean up litter in their community. Not only is littering illegal, it degrades communities, lowers property values and costs local governments money - the county spends $115,000 on labor alone to combat this program. Organizations like KTCB implements community-level improvement projects and engages volunteers to provide manpower for clean-ups.

Monroe County Commission Participates in Community Visioning Session

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners recently participated in a joint Board retreat with the City of Forsyth, the Monroe County School System, the Forsyth-Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the Development Authority of Monroe County, the Monroe County Hospital Authority and the Monroe County Reporter to discuss community visioning and planning for growth. ACCG County Consulting Services Associate Mary Beth Brownlee and GMA member Services Consultant Artiffany Stanley facilitated the session.

Meet an ACCG Staff Member

Name: Kattie Jones-Gore

Program: ACCG Insurance Programs

Position: ACCG Claims Examiner

Joined ACCG: 2012

About Kattie: Kattie's time is spent at work, with family, and volunteering. She's traveled abroad on a few occasions, is a lover of education and collects Mickey Mouse memorabilia. Kattie ends every day with a smile by watching reruns of Andy Griffith! She has five beautiful children, one of which is a recent college graduate (2021). The last child at home is a 16-year old skilled trumpet playing son.

Tell Us What's Happening in Your County!

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.

To submit photos and captions for Georgia's Local Lens, click here.

To submit photos and project information for Georgia County Spotlight, click here.