Dawson County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Berg was named, last Saturday, as the local elected official of the year by Georgia’s 9th Congressional District Republican Party.

Ethan Underwood, chairman of the Forsyth County Republican Party and chair of the district awards committee, presented the award to Berg April 18 at the district’s convention in Jasper.

The awards committee looked at all local elected officials throughout the 9th Congressional District, which includes 15 counties, in determining the award.

Berg was selected, Underwood said, in part, for gaining the approval of the governor, lt. governor and speaker of the house to secure an additional spot for Dawson County on the Coosa-North Georgia Regional Water Council board.

Clint Smith, chairman of the Dawson County Republican Party, agrees Berg has made tremendous inroads as a county commissioner and is an excellent example of the party.

“Mike Berg definitely represents the principles of the Republican Party and has put his belief system into action as our county’s board of commissioners chairman,” Smith said.

Berg was first elected to Dawson County’s five-member commission in 2004, when he outlined a five goal-system that included balanced growth, effective and efficient communication, a balanced budget, modernization of government and taking care of the residents’ tax dollars.

He currently serves on the executive board of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, the ACCG Board of Managers, and several additional state boards, which he says pays dividends for Dawson County.

Berg is also a member of the Dawson County Rotary Club and serves on the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Family Connection board and Dawson County Board of Health.

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