Georgia's Local Lens (Week of September 10, 2023) Gov. Kemp visits Columbus County, Awards, Dedications and More...

Each week ACCG shares photos highlighting activities from counties 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.

September 16, 2023

Gov. Kemp Visits Columbus-Muscogee County

Gov. Brian Kemp recently spoke to community business leaders and local elected officials during a legislative update event at the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Kemp was accompanied by his wife, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp. He touted that Georgia is number one in the nation for doing business. In the region surrounding Columbus-Muscogee, the business growth is exemplified with Pratt and Whitney building engines in Columbus and Harris County getting a new manufacturing facility in West Point.

Cherokee Chief Appraiser Wins GAAO Member of the Year Award

Chief Appraiser Steve Swindell from Cherokee County was recently awarded the Georgia Association of Assessing Officials (GAAO) Member of the Year award at the GAAO Annual Summer Conference in Jekyll Island. Swindell is only the fifth recipient of this award. Each year the GAAO board accepts nominations from members throughout the state, weighs all the nominees' credentials, and selects candidates based on contributions to the organization.

Clayton County Introduces 2023-2024 Youth Commission

Clayton County recently sworn in its 2023-2024 Youth Commission. The group of more than 20 students will assist in representing youth at the county level.

ACCG Director of Governmental Affairs Speaks at Conference of Southern County Associations

ACCG Director of Governmental Affairs Clint Mueller moderated a session on legislative issues and challenges during the Conference of Southern County Associations (CSCA) annual meeting in New Orleans, LA. CSCA provides an opportunity for the officers, directors, and staffs of 15 southeastern states to share mutual policy concerns, while offering a platform for information exchange and staff development.

Speaker Jon Burns Attends Coastal Regional Commission Meeting

Speaker Jon Burns recently attended the Coastal Regional Commission meeting to speak on the legislative issues the Georgia House will focus on during the 2024 legislative session. ACCG County Consulting Services Manager Bill Twomey and ACCG County Consulting Services Associate Mike O'Quinn were in attendance along with representatives from Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Screven counties.

White County Hosts 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

This week White County held a Flag Dedication and September 11th Remembrance Ceremony. A flag was dedicated in honor of September 11, 2001, to be flown over the Tax Commissioner's Office where the ceremony was held.

Whitfield County Host 2nd Annual Battle of the Badges Charity Softball Game

Whitfield County hosted its second annual Battle of the Badges softball game. The Battle of the Badges softball game featured the Whitfield County Fire Department and Sherriff's Department along with the Dalton Police Department and Dalton Fire Department. The event raised over $6,000 dollars with all proceeds being donated to local charities.

Lowndes County Commissioner Joyce Evans Appointed to NACo's Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee

The National Association of Counties (NACo) President Mary Jo McGuire appointed Lowndes County Commissioner Joyce Evans to the NACo's Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee. The Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee is responsible for all matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention and more.

2023 ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference - There's Still Time to Register!

There's still time to register for the Legislative Leadership Conference. Join ACCG, your county colleagues, and state leaders on October 11-13 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Glynn County for the Association’s fall policy conference. Attend the LLC to ensure your county's concerns are considered when voting on the 2024 Proposed Policy Agenda and Legislative Priorities and to participate in several engaging educational opportunities. To learn more about the LLC, click here.

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 email locallens@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.