Georgia's Local Lens (Week of March 24, 2024):

Each week ACCG shares snapshots of counties, highlighting activities from around the state and the ACCG team at work. Email your photos to locallens@accg.org.

Note: Local Lens submissions submitted prior to 12:00 p.m. on each Friday will be included in that week's edition. Submissions received after that will be included in the following week’s newsletter.

March 30, 2024

Newton County Parks and Recreation Department Hosts Easter Egg Hunt

The Newton County Parks and Recreation Department hosted an Easter egg hunt for community members at a local park. The event featured giveaways and a special meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny.

Calhoun County Signs Proclamation Declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Month

The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners recently signed a proclamation declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Throughout the month, citizens are encouraged to engage with individuals with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate community for all.

New light post on the left, original light post on the right.

Butts County Uses Grant Money to Replace Park Lights

Butts County has used the $2.2 million Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities (INODIC) state grant obtained last year to replace lights at Daughtry Recreation Park. The new state-of-the-art LED lighting can light the entire park, for the price of what the original light structure would take to light one field.

Ware County Renames Road in Honor of Fallen U.S. Sergeant

Sgt. Kennedy L. Sanders was one of the three Georgia U.S. soldiers killed in a drone strike in Jordon on January 28, 2024. Upon receiving this news, Ware County promptly issued a proclamation for all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of her burial. The county also honored her memory by renaming the road outside of her childhood home after her. A ceremony was held to unveil the new road name, during which Ware County Commissioner Leonard Burse presented Sgt. Sanders' parents with the framed proclamation.

Paulding County Commissioners Visit

the Georgia State Capitol

The Paulding County Board of Commissioners recently visited the Georgia State Capitol to see the General Assembly in action. Their visit underscores the county's commitment to staying informed and engaged in legislative issues affecting local government.

Lowndes County Unveils New Community Center

Lowndes County and the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) celebrated the grand opening of the Clyattville Community Center. This new facility offers a dining/meeting room, restrooms, and a kitchen for the community to enjoy.

ACCG Hosts Regional Meetings to Nominate Opioid Settlement Grant Councilmembers

ACCG recently completed a series of six regional meetings related to regional grant funding that will come from the state’s opioid settlement. Participating local governments that were party to the settlement (including all counties), were asked to approve three nominees to serve on the statewide Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Council and seven nominees to serve on their Regional Advisory Council. All of the nominees slated to serve were unanimously approved. The first round of funding and information on the grant portal is expected to be announced in early April.

Governmental Affairs Team Concludes Another Legislative Session

The ACCG Governmental Affairs Team worked actively throughout the 2024 legislative session to be a voice for Georgia's 159 counties. With the session now in the rearview, ACCG acknowledges and applauds the team's dedicated efforts to track a total of 1,109 bills that affected Georgia counties. To learn what bills passed during the last day of session, view the most recent legislative update here.

Upcoming Event:

Click below for more information about an upcoming event.

2024 ACCG Annual Conference