Hinesville city employees and Mayor Jim Thomas had a surprise for City Manager Billy Edwards during last week's city council meeting.
Prior to discussing his mayoral report, Thomas presented a plaque put together by city staff to Edwards in recognition of the his recent win as a Georgia Excellence in Public Service Award.
Edwards actually received the award, which honors individuals who "excel in improving the quality of life for the citizens of Georgia," a few weeks ago at the Georgia Municipal Association's Mayor's Day conference in Atlanta.
But the mayor and employees wanted to do something on their own to recognize Edwards for nearly 30 years of service to the city.
"Something I learned in Atlanta on my first Mayor's Day was that the life of a city administrator is relatively short, about four and a half years," Thomas said. "We're privileged to have a gentleman who has almost 30 years of service."
Edwards thanked officials and staff for the surprise and said he was humbled by his award, which he described as more of a group award.
"Sometimes people get credit for the work a lot of other people do and I'm getting credit for the work of a staff I'm blessed to be around," he said. "It truly is a team effort here and I look at this as an award for the city."
Contact the writer at awashington@coastalcourier.com
Prior to discussing his mayoral report, Thomas presented a plaque put together by city staff to Edwards in recognition of the his recent win as a Georgia Excellence in Public Service Award.
Edwards actually received the award, which honors individuals who "excel in improving the quality of life for the citizens of Georgia," a few weeks ago at the Georgia Municipal Association's Mayor's Day conference in Atlanta.
But the mayor and employees wanted to do something on their own to recognize Edwards for nearly 30 years of service to the city.
"Something I learned in Atlanta on my first Mayor's Day was that the life of a city administrator is relatively short, about four and a half years," Thomas said. "We're privileged to have a gentleman who has almost 30 years of service."
Edwards thanked officials and staff for the surprise and said he was humbled by his award, which he described as more of a group award.
"Sometimes people get credit for the work a lot of other people do and I'm getting credit for the work of a staff I'm blessed to be around," he said. "It truly is a team effort here and I look at this as an award for the city."
Contact the writer at awashington@coastalcourier.com