Dawson County Commission Chair MIke Berg last week accepted a proclamation from Gov. Nathan Deal that recognized the 100th anniversary of the Association of County Commissioners (ACCG).

Berg serves as the president of ACCG.

It is the first time a Dawson County commissioner has served in that role.

Gov. Deal and the Georgia General Assembly helped launch the centennial anniversary by presenting the proclamation recognizing the milestone to Berg.

"ACCG has built a solid reputation for working on behalf of counties, and it is an exciting time in the life of our association," Berg said. "Counties depend on ACCG to track public policy, identify statewide trends, provide continuing education, and help us operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Reaching a milestone such as a centennial anniversary is a signfiicant achievement, and I look forward to an exciting year."

Sen. Steve Gooch, a former Lumpkin County commissioner for eight years and its sole commissioner for four, sponsored the ACCG's resolution in the Senate.

"A lot of public policy gets made based on the people around the table, and Mike (Berg) is at the head of the table," Gooch said. "Being at the head of the table gives him a unique perspective that most commissioners never get. He can influence policy at the local level, and he can also influence and shape state policy under the gold dome.

"It's a great experience for him and for Dawson County to have that level of leadership."

ACCG begin in 1914 as an organization of commissioners of roads and highways who gathered for a common purpose of improving Georgia's roads, supporting the establishment of the state's first department of transportation and working together to provide county bond funding to match federal funds for roads.

"It is interesting that we were the first DOT," Berg said. "I'm proud of our organization because we're so far ahead in terms of how we organize, how we train, and how we work with legislators. ... We have a common goal to provide leadership so Georgia can be the best ti can be. We do that when we work together."

ACCG has grown to become the state's leading advocacy organization for counties providing leadership development and certification programs, community and civic initiatives, technical assistance, insurance and retirement services, and financing designed to provide group discounts and cost savings for counties.