Councilmember Tyree Goodlett
Dalton City Councilmember Tyree Goodlett was honored Monday with one of the Georgia Municipal Association's highest honors in recognition of his dedication to continuing his education as an elected official. Councilmember Goodlett received the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute Certificate of Distinction during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Convention in Savannah. Mayor Annalee Sams and City Administrator Andrew Parker also received certificates of recognition for their work in training.
“This is a significant milestone,” said GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson. “We congratulate Councilmember Goodlett and his dedication to professional development is an inspiration and a testament to the valuable resources and quality of service we strive to provide in local government.”
"To me it’s an honor and it’s a privilege, and just lets the citizens know that I’m trying to learn on the job and learn every day to better myself," Councilmember Goodlett said. "I want to have the tools and the knowledge to make our community better and make it grow."
The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. To receive a Certificate of Distinction, a city official must complete 204 hours of training, including at least 72 hours from the required list, the Newly Elected Officials Institute, and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. It is the second-highest achievement in the institute.
Councilmember Goodlett says that he's been dedicated to receiving as much training as possible so that he can be a resource for his fellow councilmembers.
"I’m actually in a class right now on municipal law updates, which brings us up to date on new laws that are coming into effect July 1 that affect us, so I’m learning new information that I can bring back home to share with the mayor and Council," Councilmember Goodlett said.
“We are proud of our partnership with GMA to provide high-quality, relevant training to Georgia’s more than 3,500 municipal officials,” said UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government Director Rob Gordon. “The institute remains committed to being the trusted resource that city officials across Georgia turn to for leadership and professional development training that makes a difference in the lives of the citizens they represent.”
Mayor Annalee Sams and City Administrator Andrew Parker both received the Certificate of Recognition from the Holtz Municipal Training Institute on Monday. To earn the certificate, officials must complete 72 hours of training including at least 36 hours from the required list and the Newly Elected Officials Institute.
From left, City Administrator Andrew Parker, Councilmember Tyree Goodlett and Mayor Annalee Sams