Distinction Certificate Given to Mayor

Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews received the prestigious Certificate of Distinction for completing the nationally acclaimed training program conducted by the Georgia Municipal Training Institute. The recognition occurred at the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Mayors’ Day Conference in Atlanta on January 27.

The Certificate of Distinction is the highest level of Georgia Municipal Association training certification. Mathews was one of 10 city officials to receive the Certificate of Distinction at Mayors’ Day which requires completing a minimum of 204 units of credit, including 12 required courses. The entire training program consists of a series of more than 40 six-unit courses.

“This is an outstanding achievement,” said GMA Executive Director Lamar Norton. “We commend Mayor Mathews for his accomplishment and for the dedication he has shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official.”

The annual Mayors Day conference gives attendees an opportunity to learn more about legislation under consideration at the Georgia Capitol, attend training sessions and hear from state leaders. Training classes provided city leaders with insight and information on topics such as Municipal Finance, Council-Staff Relationships, Human Resources, Ethics and Open Meetings/Open Records. They also heard from the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house on their plans for the legislative session. In addition, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood addressed transportation spending in Georgia and projects the federal government is funding.

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, research, training, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 500 member cities.

Editor's note: This was prepared by city spokeswoman Pam Davis.