Georgia County Government - March 2008 - (Page 8)

PRESIDENT continued from page 7 and, at a National Press Club Event, Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes magazine. The presentations were outstanding. W h e n e ve r we h ave t r ave l e d t o Washington to attend meetings of NACo, our national association has also given us so much to do, so many experts to hear, and so many people to meet, we anticipate the best any national association has to offer, every visit. It is my wish that every Georgia county government become a NACo member. Just as ma ndates, ma ny unfunded, emanate from the state, n e w m a nd a t e s a l s o a r e h a nd e d down from the federal government to counties that run the gamut from complex environmental regulations to funding decisions that can limit what we do with already limited tax resources. All counties know the value of federa l t ra nspor tat ion dol la rs. Counties also have been recognized as the first line of defense, and response, when it comes to homeland security, meaning federal monies in the form of grants to help strengthen our status in this regard are a national concern. NACo’s lobbying efforts on our behalf, concerning these and other crucial nat iona l polic y issues, have been stellar. NACo has its finger on the pulse of all the issues counties face on the federal level, and many of us have progress at home to prove it. NACo also provides great benefits to counties, helping them save tax dollars and staff time w it h cooperative purchasing prog r a ms , re s e a rch i n for mat ion, technical assistance and careful review of legislation and regulations. For these reasons and others, it isn’t surprising to learn that as of this past Dec. 31, NACo’s all-time county membership record was broken when it surpassed the 2,300 member mark for the first time in the association’s 73-year history. With the recent addition of South Dakota to the list, NACo also has 20 100-percent-membership states now – meaning every county within these states has joined NACo. Eric Coleman, NACo president and Oakland County, Mich., commissioner, calls the membership landmark “a Require sidewalks now or foot the bill later Counties in metro Atlanta now have some of Georgia’s best sidewalk ordinances. Too bad they waited until their land was 80 percent developed before enacting them. The Atlanta region has paid a hefty price in pedestrian fatalities and injuries and is now spending hundreds of millions to retrofit sidewalks. Get smart and ahead of the curve—plan and require the pedestrian infrastructure first. For information on model sidewalk ordinances, contact 404-522-3666 or walkthere@peds.org monumenta l accomplishment a nd a statement about NACo’s exciting array of programs and the hard work and support of the state associations of counties, as well as its Membership Committee and staff.” We couldn’t agree more. NACo membership is considered a good investment by counties in every part of the nation. Besides adding 261 new members in 2007, NACo should also be congratulated for winding up 2007 with the highest member retention rate in its history, 98 percent — placing it in the top one-tenth of 1 percent nationwide for associations. In a decade that has seen decline in association memberships overall, this is truly a remarkable accomplishment. Rising from 1,700 members in 1998 to its current level of 2,300 means NACo now represents 75 percent of all counties in the United States, as well as more than 80 percent of the population. NACo Executive Director Larry Naake expressed his view that the membership growth level is phenomenal. Again, we certainly agree and will continue to do our part to support this vital national organization, dedicated to count y government’s interests in Washington. What can your county get from NACo membership? NACo’s service programs for counties are numerous and first rate. A new prescription drug discount program has been a huge hit, as just one example. Benefits also include networking, the sharing of information, advocacy of county issues, representation of counties before national leaders and promotion of county government in the intergovernmental arena. Membership is an investment in your county’s future. Like ACCG, which itself has a national reputation for achieving policy goals and providing outstanding services, NACo works to ensure that counties have the resources, skills and support needed to successfully lead their communities into the future. I’m not sure I’d want to face a future in local government leadership without ACCG, or NACo. Being an effective leader means gathering one’s best resources, and through associations like these, we have access to the best to be had. Join NACo today. You’ll be glad you did. ■ 8 GEORGIA 1 361335_Georgia.indd COUNTY GOVERNMENT 12/14/07 8:39:04 PM http://www.gcpa.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - March 2008

Georgia County Government - March 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters Guest Editorial: Our Future Depends On Statesmanship Bryan County in Step With State Coastal Plan Solid Waste Management in Georgia Hazardous Waste Management in Georgia Extension News: Georgians Growing Older, Fatter County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - March 2008

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