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City Councilmember Vicky Nelson receives Certificate of Dedication
Vicky Nelson
Pictured, from left, are Rob Gordon, University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government Executive Director; Larry Hanson, Georgia Municipal Association Director and CEO; and Mayor Jim Thornton, Lagrange, Georgia, and Georgia Municipal Association Immediate Past President.

Councilmember Vicky Nelson received the prestigious Certificate of Dedication award from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Convention in Savannah on June 27.

The Harold F. Holtz 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 city officials. The Certificate of Dedication requires 276 hours of training, including at least 108 hours from a required list of classes, 18 hours of which must be from an Advanced Leadership track, and the Robert E. Knox Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. After obtaining the Certificate of Dedication, officials must complete nine hours of continuing education each year to maintain the certificate. The training program consists of more than 70 courses.

Councilmember Nelson was one of seven city officials to receive the Certificate of Dedication at the conference.

“This outstanding achievement truly speaks to the dedication shown by these recipients,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson. “We commend Councilmember Nelson for this accomplishment and for the commitment she’s shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official. Councilmember Nelson serves as an example to other city officials across the state.”

“The dedication shown by these public servants from across the state to enhance their skills and knowledge of municipal governance is remarkable,” said Rob Gordon, director of the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government. “Their commitment to education means they are bringing back tools, insights, knowledge, resources and networks to strengthen their cities. The Institute of Government is proud to partner with GMA to make this expanded training opportunity available to Georgia’s city leaders.”

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Fire at Walthourville home displaces three people
Martin Court fire
Fire fighters work to contain a blaze at a Martin Court home early Monday morning.

An early Monday morning fire in Walthourville has displaced three people.

According to Nick Maxwell from the Walthourville Fire and Rescue Department, the fire began shortly before 1 a.m. on the 100 block of Martin Court.

Maxwell said firefighters from the Walthourville Fire Department were dispatched initially to the area when the homeowner called 911 to report his neighbors may have been burning trash and smoke was entering his home.

When firefighters arrived, they observed smoke and flames coming from the home, which according to Maxwell was 30 to 40 percent engulfed in flames. The homeowner got out of the residence safely with his family.

A ladder unit from the Hinesville Fire Department had to be dispatched to assist in fighting the fire due to an iron fence and ditch which made it difficult for fire trucks to get closer to the residence.

Units from the Long County Fire and Rescue also assisted in fighting the fire, which heavily damaged the garage and kitchen area of the home.

The cause of the fire has not been officially identified and is under investigation.

The Red Cross has been called in to assist the family.

VIDEO: Martin Court fire

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