Each employee of the Fayette County Government strives for excellence in the work they do, every day. We feel it is important to acknowledge and celebrate our successes, and share them with others. Here are a few awards and recognitions of Fayette County.
Chief Marshal Edward Collins congratulates Deputy Marshal Travis Caldwell
On April 11, 2011 Deputy Marshal Travis Caldwell was recognized by Fayette County American Legion Post 105 during their annual Public Safety Awards. Deputy Caldwell received a Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Public Service.
Chief Collins stated, "Travis Caldwell is worthy of public recognition for his willingness to serve the citizens of Fayette County. Throughout the past 7 years, Travis has received letters of appreciation for his professionalism and fairness. Deputy Caldwell demonstrates through his job performance his desire and pride in serving the citizens of Fayette County. Deputy Caldwell is dedicated to the law enforcement profession which is demonstrated in the job he does for the Marshal's Office and Fayette County".
Fayette County Awarded with Two Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Fayette County has been awarded two Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, by the Government Finance Officers Association, or GFOA, for both Fayette County's and Fayette County's Water System's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, or CAFRs. The Certificates were presented to Fayette County by Mrs. Lynn Robinson during the Fayette County Commission meeting held on September 23, 2010. Mrs. Robinson is a current Board Member of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association, and she also serves as the City of Fayetteville's Director of Finance and Administrative Services.
The GFOA is a prestigious professional organization serving approximately 17,500 government financial professionals. It is considered the gatekeeper for monitoring and recommending improvements to government and financial reporting and it consistently influences changes in reporting standards that "raise the bar" for government entities.
To achieve this award, CAFRs are judged by an impartial panel of finance professionals to determine compliance with the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate an entity's financial story.
Fayette County Government has earned its 17th consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Finance Reporting for Fiscal Year 2009. As if that were not impressive enough, the Fayette County Water System also won the same Certificate for its financial operations. By earning these awards, Fayette County is tangibly demonstrating that it takes all of its fiduciary responsibilities seriously. Credit Rating Agencies, and others interested in the professionalism of government's finance functions, positively recognize governments that have been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
Assistant Finance Director Toni Jo Howard, who accepted the Certificates on behalf of the Fayette County Finance Department, is responsible for submitting CAFRs to the Government Finance Officers Association. Her work, as well as the cooperative work in the Finance Department, has been measureless. Commission Chairman Jack Smith, who himself is a CPA, thanked Toni Jo on behalf of the Board and the citizens of Fayette County by saying "I understand that from time to time it can be difficult to get all of the information necessary, but its evident that you not only enjoy what you do but you're good at it! So, we thank you and congratulate you on achieving this milestone on behalf of Fayette County."
Pictured Left to Right: Toni Jo Howard (Fayette County Assistant Finance Director), and Mrs. Lynn Robinson (City of Fayetteville's Director of Finance and Administrative Services, and Board member of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association)
Information used in this article, as well as additional information, may be obtained at www.gfoa.org.
Recognition of Two Georgia Master Certified Emergency Managers
On August 26, the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, GEMA/Homeland Security Director Charley English, and Fayette County Public Safety Director Allen McCullough were pleased to recognize Captain Pete Nelms and Mr. George Knight who were formally recognized by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency as Georgia Master Certified Emergency Managers.
Throughout the Certified Emergency Manager Program's 12-year existence, only 84 people, including Captain Nelms and Mr. Knight, have been awarded as Georgia Master Certified Emergency Managers.
To achieve Master Manager status, applicants must complete the Certified Emergency Manager Program and an exacting curriculum of 30 independent study, field-delivered, and resident courses. These courses cover a wide range of specialties and disciplines such as incident command, hazardous materials, hazardous weather preparedness, crash extrication, and exercise design. Additionally, Georgia Master Certified Emergency Managers must have at least five years of service in an emergency management position, and must document contributions to the profession through teaching, research, community involvement, or published articles. They are also required to obtain 150 hours of continuing education and to have managed at least one full-scale emergency exercise.
The Board applauded Mr. Knight, a retired captain from Northwest Airlines and a volunteer firefighter, who earned this certification on his own time and initiative.
Fayette County congratulates Captain Nelms and Mr. Knight for a job well done, and thanks them for their exemplary service to the County and its citizens!
Pictured from left to right: (Back-row) Commission Vice-Chairman Herb Frady, Commissioner Lee Hearn, Commissioner Robert Horgan; (Front-row) Commissioner Eric Maxwell, Reservist George Knight, GEMA/Homeland Security Director Charlie English, Captain Pete Nelms.
The Old Fayette County Courthouse to be marked as listed on the National Register of Historic Sites
At a recent Board of Commissioners Meeting, the Heritage Committee, represented by Carol Chandler and Tony Parrott, presented the Board of Commissioners with a brass plaque to be mounted on the north side of the Old Fayette County Courthouse. In 1988, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, but had never been marked as such. "On behalf of the Commissioners, thank you for this beautiful contribution to our community," said Chairman Smith.
