Dawson Times

Dawson County Commissioners Mike Connor and Gary Pichon were honored recently for completing the nationally recognized County Commissioners Training Program, co-sponsored by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and The University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

The Dawson County officials were awarded a “Certificate of Recognition” during an awards ceremony at ACCG’s 2008 Annual Meeting in Savannah for completing the training program which enhances local governments’ ability to provide public services responsibly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

Dr. Steve Wrigley, Director of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at The University of Georgia, distributed the certificates to the 55 program graduates. He congratulated them on their commitment to providing better leadership and service to their citizens.

Gary Pichon

To receive certification, officials must complete 48 hours of instruction. Since its inception in 1987, more than 2,400 county officials have become certified through the program. Recently, county associations from such states as Washington, North Carolina, California, Minnesota and Kentucky have sought to implement training programs based on the success of ACCG’s Commissioners Training Program.

ACCG Executive Director Jerry Griffin said, “We are proud of all the graduates of the training program because each one of them is exceptionally dedicated to providing the best local leadership possible for their communities.”

Established in 1914 with 19 charter members, ACCG is the consensus building, training, service and legislative advocacy organization of all Georgia’s 159 county governments.