The Dawson County commission has selected District 1 Commissioner Gary Pichon to serve as its vice chairman in 2013.

In that capacity, Pichon will conduct commission meetings if Chairman Mike Berg can't attend.

The group selects a new vice chair each January. Commissioner Julie Hughes Nix made the motion to appoint Pichon. Commissioner Jimmy Hamby seconded it.

Pichon said he was honored to take on the important leadership position and looks forward to be a part of moving the county forward on a "do no harm" premise.

"As a whole, I'd say our county has been well-run, well-managed and, I think well-led over the last few years. The good thing is ... we're not having a bunch of conflict," he said.

The board and county staff, he added, must continue to work toward "basic operating excellence and continue to squeeze the dollar some more."

"The thing to do is to try to hold this thing together and continue to deliver, as best we can, good services for the money that we spend on behalf of the citizens and watch our costs, be careful with our money, make no big mistakes," he said.

While Pichon said there are no big plans or initiatives on the horizon for the county, his long term goal is to find a way to provide more recreational opportunities, especially along the Ga. 400 corridor.

"I wish we could do more outdoor recreation business in the county. I would like to do something on 400 to try to spiff it up, maybe a park on that side of town ... a pleasing place to be," he said. "But within reason, of course."

Also during their meeting last week, the commission voted to renew annual contracts with County Attorney Joey Homans and County Clerk Danielle Yarbrough.