SW Ga. city managers meet in Americus
Published 5:10 pm Tuesday, August 13, 2019
- Attendees at the Georgia Municipal Association Southwest Georgia City Manager’s Meeting held at the Historic Windsor Hotel Friday. Front, from left, are Saralyn Stafford, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, Rural Development manager; Sharon Subadan, Albany City manager; Becky Taylor, GMA director of Federal Relations and Research; Vicki Wainwright, Butler City clerk/city administrator; Paula Martin, Americus City clerk; Charles Coney, Americus City manager; Michael Bowens, Vienna City manager; Steven Hicks, Donalsonville City manager; second row, from left, are Steve Sykes, Camilla City manager; Terrell Jacobs, GMA Municipal Operations consultant; John Hayes, Sylvester City manager; Cory Thomas, Colquitt City manager; Larry Hanson, GMA executive director; Michael McPherson, GMA Governmental Relations associate; Cam Jordan, Fitzgerald deputy administrator.
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AMERICUS — Americus Mayor Barry Blount welcomed Southwest Georgia city managers who gathered at the Historic Windsor Hotel in Americus Friday when the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) hosted one of its regional meetings for the benefit of municipal administrative leadership. GMA is holding these series across Georgia to engage city managers in a discussion of current issues in their cities and to gain an understanding of how GMA can support managers to address the issues. The meetings are an opportunity for peer interaction, an update on key legislative issues, and a chance to learn more about GMA services and resources.
“GMA exists to help our 536 cities across Georgia. Citizens should be proud to know that elected and appointed officials have committed themselves to education, training, and learning from each other so that they can bring ideas home and be prepared to improve the cities of Georgia,” said Larry Hanson, GMA executive director.
The meeting’s organizer, Becky Taylor, GMA director of Federal Relations and Research adds, “Sessions like today allow us to see what the future holds for city managers. We are trying to plan for the next generation of leaders. In fact, we are just starting up the group, ‘Top Twenty under Forty’ because we want to hear from young professionals that are coming up and interested in local government. We want to adapt to whatever is coming down the line.”
During the information sharing, Michael McPherson, GMA Governmental Relations associate, gave an update on legislative items from this past Georgia legislative session and what might be discussed next year. Terrell Jacobs, GMA Municipal Operations consultant, went in-depth with his observations from across the state for best practices to address the challenges in Workforce Development. Finally, Saralyn Stafford, Carl Vinson Institute of Government Rural Development manager, reviewed upcoming training opportunities.
Attendees left having benefited from the dialogue and regional networking.
