Viewpoints

Displaying Items 31-45 (of 75)

Legislative Advocacy for Cities is a Year-Round Commitment

February 14, 2021

By Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director

"Cities and their residents are affected by the Georgia General Assembly and the United States Congress, as well as by the regulatory decisions made by state and federal agencies." - Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director

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Let Us Build Community to Uplift our Democracy

February 14, 2021

By Vince Williams, GMA President

My heart is aching. The destructive behavior on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol has tested our democracy, our democratic institutions and the ideals on which our country was founded.

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Gov. Kemp's 2021 State of the State Address

Viewpoints

January 14, 2021

Gov. Brian Kemp

Text of Gov. Brian Kemp's State of the State address delivered on January 14, 2021.

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Give the Gift of Safety This Holiday Season

December 14, 2020

By Amber Schmidtke, PH.D., Medical Educator and Science Communicator

Much like everything else in 2020, the pandemic is going to change the way we gather and celebrate the winter holidays. Remember that the virus is only concerned with the biology and physics of reaching the next human to infect for its own survival. But the virus has a weakness— it cannot move on its own.

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Examining the Fiscal Impact of COVID-19 for Cities

December 14, 2020

By Laura Wheeler, Associate Director of the Center for State and Local Finance

The importance of a well-functioning city has never been more evident than in the past eight months. The impact of the pandemic and the ensuing economic hardship has shown how vital it is for our municipal governments to have the resources necessary to provide the services that their residents rely on and require.

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Let Love Lead Political Leadership for Our Cities

December 14, 2020

By Vince Williams, GMA President

My hope for a successful future for our cities, however, looks beyond the outcome of partisan, zero-sum politics and is grounded in something we don’t talk enough about… love.

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Being United in A Time of Division

December 10, 2020

By Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director

"At GMA, we are united in our passion to serve all cities and all of you, so that you can better serve the citizens who reside in your 537 unique municipalities." - GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson

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Despite Focus on Upcoming Senate Elections in Georgia, Lawmakers Must Address Lingering Census Issues

November 13, 2020

By GMA President Vince Williams and GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson

While for most of the country, the 2020 elections are drawing to a close, Georgia remains in the throes of two hotly contested races to determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. At the same time, work goes on to address the massive issues facing our state and our country. We must continue working to make sure Georgia is well-positioned not just for the immediate future, but for the years to come as well. 

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Cities Explore Succession & Replacement Planning

October 12, 2020

By Catherine Bennett and Tate Fowler, Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, GA

"What is a succession plan and is it right for your city? To understand what your answer may be, we must first understand the difference between a replacement plan and a succession plan."

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GMA Cares Because Cities Are Essential

Viewpoints

October 12, 2020

By Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director

"As we navigate through these unprecedented times, I continue to be so impressed by the leadership and dedication of our city officials". - Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director

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Words Matter: Setting the Tone for Political Discourse

Viewpoints

October 12, 2020

By Vince Williams, GMA President

I believe city officials can, and should, set the standard for political discourse for others to follow.

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‘Recognized Stature’: Cities Think Twice Before Removing Art

August 12, 2020

By Rusi Patel, GMA General Counsel

As many of you know, GMA has been constructing a new headquarters with hopes of completing the project by mid-year 2021. What you might not know is that GMA plans to include within the new headquarters artwork, both inside and outside of the buildings that highlights our members and the work being done by our city leaders across the state.

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Reaching the ‘Zone of High Aspirations’ with Resiliency

August 12, 2020

By Vince Williams, GMA President

The logo for GMA’s virtual Annual Convention held last month featured the words, “Cities United: Rising with Resilience.” Although the theme was developed in response to the COVID-19 it can certainly apply to the broad array of challenges cities face every day.
 

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This is Our Moment to L.E.A.D. for Social Justice

August 12, 2020

By Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director

The events of this year and the past few months have compelled a strong statement to show that GMA stands in solidarity in opposition to racism, acts of injustice, inequity and intolerance.
 

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Georgia’s Cities Remember John Lewis & Continue His Legacy

July 22, 2020

Union City Mayor Vince Williams, GMA President

John Lewis was more than a congressman and Civil Rights leader; he was an American hero and a moral compass for leaders of all walks of life. The effect he had on the state of Georgia, the South and the nation itself cannot be overstated.

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Displaying Items 31-45 (of 75)