Board Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers

District 1 Commissioner Trent North and Commission Chairman Bill Chappell thank Dr. J. Mark Miller for his years of service at the Carroll County Mediation Center.

Earlier this week, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners recognized a few of the many volunteers who unselfishly donate their time annually to help make the county a better place to work, live and raise a family.

During the Board’s meeting on Tuesday, District 3 Commissioner Ashley Hendrix read a proclamation acknowledging and thanking Dr. J. Mark Miller for his 16 years of service at the Carroll County Mediation Center.

Acting as a neutral mediator, Miller has overseen innumerable conflict resolution cases. His services have provided an alternative to adjudication and saved the county and its citizens countless resources that would have otherwise been exhausted through trial proceedings.

At the same meeting, the Board also recognized the tireless efforts of the Carroll County Master Gardeners. District 3 Commissioner Vicki Anderson read a proclamation that designates March 19, 2011 as “Master Gardener Appreciation Day.”

Ian Davis, county Extension Service secretary and Master Gardener, addresses the board on behalf of the Master Gardeners present at Tuesday's meeting.

The Master Gardeners have provided valuable services throughout the Carroll County community and are a big part of what makes our shared agricultural heritage so strong.

The respective proclamations can be read below:

Proclamation

“Dr. J Mark Miller”

Whereas, using formal court proceedings to resolve disputes can be costly and time consuming to our court system and our citizens; and

Whereas, mediation is an expeditious and cost-effect process in which a neutral third person facilitates communication between the parties to a dispute to help them reach a voluntary and mutually acceptable agreement which best suits the needs of both parties; and

Whereas, the availability and success of our court mediation program is largely attributed to the efforts of those volunteers who contribute significant time and resources to assist our citizens in the process of dispute resolution; and

Whereas, Dr. J. Mark Miller, one of the original volunteers in the Carroll County Mediation Center, has served as a volunteer mediator for sixteen years to promote mediation as a viable alternative to adjudication through the Carroll County Magistrate Court and the Coweta Judicial Circuit ADR Program.

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the citizens of Carroll County, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize Dr. J. Mark Miller for giving unselfishly of his time in service to our community in the resolution of grievances and issues.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of Carroll County to be affixed this 1^st day of March 2011.

Proclamation

Master Gardener Appreciation Day

WHEREAS, The Master Gardener Program is a national volunteer horticultural educational training program sponsored by Cooperative Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and counties of the cooperating states; and

WHEREAS, The Master Gardener Program provides avid gardeners with intensive education in research-based horticultural principles and pest control practices; and

WHEREAS, New Master Gardeners must initially provide at least 50 hours of volunteer service through their County Extension Offices, working on community and school garden projects, conducting garden clinics, and answering questions; and

WHEREAS, Carroll County Master Gardeners in 2009 volunteered 8,945 hours representing $174,338.05 in labor, traveled 29,968 miles, answered 4,779 telephone calls and emails, provided technical information/service to 27,288 citizens; and

WHEREAS, Carroll County Master Gardeners in 2010 volunteered 10,633 hours, representing $29,993.85 in labor, traveled 42,182 miles, answered 6,170 telephone calls and emails, provided technical information/service to 20,777 citizens; and

WHEREAS, On Saturday, March 19, 2011, Master Gardeners throughout Georgia and Carroll County will celebrate Master Gardener Day by providing horticultural education, plant and soil testing clinics, and lectures in shopping malls and gardening centers; and

WHEREAS, In the spirit of volunteerism, Master Gardeners have provided and continue to provide valuable services to Georgia communities through education and training programs.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, I, Bill Chappell, as Chairman of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, do resolve that March 19, 2011, is hereby proclaimed “Master Gardener Appreciation Day”.