Photo/Michele Hester Rosie Weaver, right, was one of several residents, business owners and civic organizations recognized Thursday by the city of Dawsonville in celebration of Georgia Cities Week. Weaver, an activist for a cleaner, beautiful Dawsonville, can be found most days voluntarily picking up trash throughout the city. Photo/Michele Hester The city of Dawsonville also recognized members of the Etowah Lodge and the Vietnam Veterans of America for displaying flags throughout the downtown area each patriotic holiday in honor of service men and women.

Rosie Weaver loves Dawsonville, and Dawsonville loves Rosie Weaver.

Weaver, who can be seen every afternoon voluntarily picking up trash throughout the city, was one of several residents, business owners and organizations recognized Thursday by the city of Dawsonville in honor of Georgia Cities Week.

With tears in her eyes, Weaver thanked city officials for the recognition and expressed her deep affection for Dawsonville and its residents. "You are all like family to me," she said. "I love you all."

Dawsonville joined cities across the state April 20-26 in celebration of Georgia Cities Week, a recognition of the many services city governments provide and their contributions to a better quality of life.

"City government is truly government of, by and for the people," said Dawsonville Mayor Joe Lane Cox. "The people who are making the decisions about our community are your neighbors, business owners and community leaders.

"We want to recognize the roll city government plays in our lives from historic preservation, to trash collection to water and sewer, to promoting our culture and events," Cox added.

Also recognized were Dwight Gilleland, who owns the oldest business in downtown, Dawsonville Hardware, and members of the Fouts family, who played a part in preserving Dawsonville's history by restoring a number of buildings in the downtown area.

Etowah Lodge and Vietnam Veterans of America members were honored for displaying flags throughout the city in honor of service men and women.

"You hold a very special place in my heart," Dawsonville City Clerk Kim Cornelison told the veterans in attendance.

Councilman Mike Sosebee, who has served on Dawsonville's city council for over 27 years, and Gary Barr, an 18-year city of Dawsonville employee were also honored during the city's reception, held at Peach Brandy Cottage, a downtown wedding and special events facility.

In addition to holding the recognition ceremony, the city of Dawsonville celebrated Georgia Cities Week with giveaways at city hall, contests in the monthly newsletter and by asking the leaders of tomorrow to write an essay on what they would do if they were mayor.

Riverview Elementary School sixth grader Kara Hafermalz said she would fine those who litter, improve recreational opportunities, create additional jobs for those moving to the city and update technology at the schools.

She said she would also ask the city council to consider pay raises for teachers. "Teaching is hard and I think teachers deserve more than what they get," she wrote.

E-mail Michele Hester at michele@dawsonnews.com.

Originally published Wednesday, April 30, 2008