Hogansville Mayor William Stankiewicz and fellow city council members were recognized last week for their dedication to continued training during the 2018 Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Convention in Savannah.

Stankiewicz and Mayor Pro-tem Theresa Deisha Strickland were awarded the prestigious Certificate of Excellence for achieving 120 hours of training through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. Strickland was additionally recognized for her participation in the Robert J. Knox Jr. Leadership Institute.

Council member Fred F. Higgins was also recognized with a certificate of recognition, completing 42 hours of training through the institute. Council member George Bailey was elected to a leadership position within the organization.

The Georgia Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for elected city officials.

To receive a Certificate of Achievement, a city official must complete 120 hours of training, including at least 54 hours from the required list, the Newly Elected Officials Institute and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. A certificate of recognition requires 42 hours of training, including at least 18 hours from the required list and the Newly Elected Officials Institute.

“This is an outstanding achievement,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson. “We commend Hogansville’s elected officials for their accomplishments and for the dedication they’ve shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official.”

Bailey was also named a district officer in the organization’s Fourth District, which spans nine counties, including Troup County. Bailey was named Third Vice President and will serve a one-year term. He was sworn in during the convention along with LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton, who was named the organization’s Third Vice President.