ACCG awards Shaw Blackmon, Commissioners take questions from Cub Scout pack

WARNER ROBINS—The Houston County Commissioners recognized a state representative for winning an Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) award and took a few questions from local Cub Scouts. 

The Commissioners first heard from Pastor Steven Byrd of Central Baptist Church.

“Central Baptist Church has been thankful to be a part of this community, next year will be 70 years,” Byrd said. “Our heart is for this community. We are so thankful to be a part of Warner Robins. We are thankful for our leaders and we’re always praying for both our community and for them.”

Byrd added that if you do not have a church home, Central Baptist Church would love to welcome them with open arms. 

Dante Handel of ACCG presented an award to State Representative Shaw Blackmon for his work during the 2024 Legislative session. 

“He’s done a fantastic job looking out for local governments in his community,” Handel said. “He was selected for this award to recognize him especially for his efforts on House Bill 581 which is a legislation to protect taxpayers from increasing cost on the property tax and to provide some clarity into the property tax system.”

Blackmon then shared a few words accepting his award. 

“I am grateful and very humbled as it is a real privilege to work with elected officials on the local level such as yourselves, chairman and commissioners,” he said. “Thank you so much for looking past some of the challenges that we may have created as we have marched along this path, but I think everybody is willing to do what’s best for our citizens and our county.” 

Blackmon shared he was pleased to see his wife and children see him accept the award while also acknowledging his father and mother who were in attendance. 

He also thanked Handel and the ACCG. 

“It is really an honor to work with y’all this past session on something I really think is helpful at the base level for every citizen in every county in the State,” he said. 

Chairman Dan Perdue praised Blackmon for his work. 

“I appreciate your efforts on behalf of all local governments and all Georgia homeowners with House Bill 581,” he said. “The best I can hope for myself and for the commissioners who serve on this Board is that you act in the best interest of your citizens, and I know that is how you act not only for the citizens of your District but for the citizens of all the State.” 

The Commissioners also hosted Cub Scout Pack 127. The scouts are part of the Weeblows den, consisting of fourth graders who attended the meeting to earn local government badge. 

Their scoutmaster said the main thing they would like to know is the role of the County Commission, what the commission does and how voting works in the county. 

A few scouts got the courage and asked the County Commissioners a few questions. One asked how long they had been in this position and when they were elected. Commissioner Gail Robinson said she has been a County Commissioner for 26 years. Chairman Dan Perdue shared he was elected as Chairman in 2022 and was elected as a County Commissioner in 2020. 

Another question asked by the scouts involved the hardest part of the job. 

“The hard part is when you have a community of 170,000 people in it, they have different ideas of what the essential services are and how you should provide them. What we are tasked to do is work hard to earn the public’s trust and to provide these services the best we can to the people of this county,” Commissioner Mark Byrd said. 

In new business, the Board approved a proposal to update cameras and microphones in courtrooms A and B at Juvenile court, to provide better proceeding documentation and recording. 

“I know Judge Wilburn will be thankful to get those upgrades in place,” Perdue said. 

The Board also approved a change order to extend the 8-inch water line to Lee Paul Road and Short Road for the HWY 341 and Graham Road Water Project. ARPA is funding the change order. 

“This is very much a change of scope, not a typical change order, but we are nearing the time in which we need to have ARPA funds obligated. This is part of the effort to ensure that we obligate all those funds so that we do not send any money back to the Federal Government the funds they gave us,” Perdue said. 

The next Houston County Commissioners meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m., located at the Houston County Courthouse, 201 Perry Parkway. 

The full agenda can be found at houstoncountyga.gov/minutes/2024-10-15%20Department%20Head%20Copy.pdf