Georgia County Government-August 2008

Bledsoe said the real key to getting this facility update was all in the planning. “The working relationship between the county commission and the architect allowed us to work on space analysis about five years before this new facility became a reality. That planning was vital to this being what we needed.” Tyson said that having a clean, safe, pleasant working environment is crucial to the success of a county Extension office. “We have 4-H members there working on projects, we have citizens coming into the office for help and information, and we have to project the right image for the university and for the county,” he said. “If a county wants to attract and retain the very best university faculty to work in their community, they have to provide a good facility and work environment. We’ve actually seen faculty make a decision on whether or not to take a job based on the condition of the offices.” The value of that image isn’t lost on Bledsoe. “I waited a long, long time for a facility like we have, and I was determined to make this a showplace,” she said. “I have to compliment our commissioners for the work and allowing us to be able to come into a facility like this. We are proud of this facility and are better able to meet the needs of our clients. Not only do the employees deserve these improved facilities, so does the public we serve.” ■ Clean, Safe Facilities a Must for Extension Agents, Communities The Answer: Most mornings before 8 a.m., nearly every afternoon well past 5 p.m., evenings and most weekends. The Question: When are you most likely to find a Georgia county Extension agent hard at work in the county Extension office? S uch is the life, and the commitment, of most agents with whom I have interacted over the past 10 years. Certainly, I can recall spending a great deal of time working with 4-H members or working at my desk during these non-traditional work hours. The county Extension office is often truly a “home away from home” for many agents. The causes are many. County agents spend a great deal of time during the day conducting programming in the community, leading 4-H club meetings in school and after school, visiting clientele at their homes and on their farms. School-age children are incredibly busy after school and, therefore, many 4-H activities take place at Extension offices in the evenings. In addition, agents spend a significant amount of time out of the county for training, meetings and the like. However, there is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to get done, in or at the office. Having safe, updated and spacious facilities in which to spend these long hours makes the overall job more satisfying and the county agents more effective. Parents of 4-H members feel better about their children participating in evening activities in a place they know is safe and secure. County residents are more inclined to take advantage of Cooperative Extension resources if the office is convenient and has ample parking. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension appreciates the time and effort county officials have committed to ensuring that county Extension faculty members are housed in facilities that maximize the impact they can have for county residents. – By Jeff Christie, ACCG Cooperative Extension Liaison GROUND ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES www.golder.com •Water Resources •Mining •Manufacturing •Transportation •Waste Management •Power •Land Development •Oil & Gas 3730 Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, Georgia 30341 p 770.496.1893 f 770.934.9476 hmock@golder.com 378749_Golder.indd 1 4/16/08 2:10:30 PM 357101_Precision.indd 1 AUGUST 2008 www.accg.org 11/19/07 33 3:54:02 PM http://www.golder.com http://www.accg.org

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

Georgia County Government- August 2008 Contents President’s Message County Matters Georgia’s Transportation Issues More Critical to Counties than Ever Expanding Rural Airports: Partnering for Economic Development in Upson County Meet DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham Bridge Infrastructure and Risk Counties and the Law: Georgia’s Fair Employment Practices Act Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: Coffee County Extension News: Infrastructure Investments Save County Funds Research Corner: Getting the Most Out of Your Research Discover the New Georgia Encyclopedia NACo News Staff News County Parade Index of Advertisers

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