January, 2012 How to create a non-competitive environment Lamar Norton, GMA Executive Director January 30, 2012 Senate Bill 313, the Broadband Investment Equity Act, makes it much more difficult for a city or county to implement a broadband, cable or telecom system, even if such a system is wanted by that jurisdiction’s residents and business interests. What I’ve Learned about Leadership from Reading Obituaries Otis White, President, Civic Strategies, Inc. January 11, 2012 From reading their obituaries, I've learned three things about why what I call "super-civic leaders" are so succesful. They are strategic, they are willing to put in the time and they are authentic. State of the State: Charting the course to prosperity Governor Nathan Deal January 10, 2012 Gov. Nathan Deal delivered his State of the State Address on January 10, 2012. GMA's People Make the Difference Lamar Norton, GMA Executive Director January 5, 2012 The greatest asset of GMA is the 70+ dedicated employees who come to work every day dedicated to serving cities. Focus Should be on the People Rep. Mark Hamilton January 5, 2012 As Chairman of the House Governmental Affairs committee, I want to provide some insight from my perspective on working with city leaders in the legislative process and the importance of state and city government partnerships. Welcome to the Georgia State Capitol Sen. Butch Miller January 5, 2012 As Chairman of the State and Local Governmental Operations Senate Committee I encourage you to communicate with your legislators in general and the committee members in particular.

December, 2011 Dealing with a Crisis Otis White, President, Civic Strategies, Inc. December 21, 2011 If you act intelligently and calmly and decisively a crisis can be your finest hour. But wilt under pressure, equivocate, and blame others, and it will be your worst nightmare. Georgians need to support TSPLOST Governor Nathan Deal December 8, 2011 Today, after decades of inadequate and inefficient transportation investment, our future economic growth is threatened by crumbling infrastructure and inadequate capacity. We are now challenged to invest in our continued growth and prosperity by maintaining and expanding our state’s transportation network.

November, 2011 “Everything Must Change”…But the Work Goes On Billy Trapnell, GMA President November 7, 2011 From its founding rooted in the Great Depression, through remarkable periods of growth …and the emergence and acceleration of technology … to the far-reaching global economic challenges of today, GMA’s institutional foundation has remained solid as a rock. White-Collar Crime Leaves a Dirty Stain on Georgia’s Communities Brian Payne November 7, 2011 The consequences of white-collar crime are equally damaging to, if not more damaging than, the consequences of conventional crime.

October, 2011 What Glengarry Glen Ross Teaches Us about Change Otis White, President, Civic Strategies, Inc. October 24, 2011 Long before beginning a change process you can strengthen your leadership ability simply by building more relationships. A Fond Farewell to GMA Family Jim Higdon, GMA Executive Director October 5, 2011 Looking back on the past 10 years, the decade I spent at GMA has been one of the best times of my life. Cities Are Doin’ It For Themselves David Cieslewicz, Citiwire.net October 5, 2011 As the federal government continues to spin its wheels and state governments keep struggling with lean budgets, cities are starting to experiment with ideas about how to create local, self-sustaining economies. Encouraging Collaborative Leadership Hasco W. Craver IV, Newnan Business Development Director October 5, 2011 Healthy public sector leadership requires confirming a clear vision through greater civic communication and consensus-building, establishing priorities and policies aimed at achieving that vision, building the right team, aligning the organization and accounting for results.

September, 2011 Problem Solving Takes Place at the Local Level Billy Trapnell, GMA President September 7, 2011 Georgia’s city and county leaders are quite capable of stepping up to the plate in order to make difficult decisions. Georgia DOT Takes on New Role to Deliver Projects Faster Gerald Ross and Jeff Baker, Georgia DOT September 7, 2011 When trying to finish a job faster, adding more tasks to it wouldn’t seem the best approach. Yet, that’s exactly what the Georgia Department of Transportation is doing; and early results are promising.

August, 2011 How to See Community Problems in Context Otis White, President, Civic Strategies, Inc. August 22, 2011 As the context of problems changes, your decision-making process must change with it. Never Underestimate the Benefits of Parks Barbara Tulipane, CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association August 4, 2011 It’s no mystery that funding for parks and recreation has been in danger for years. Across the nation, many state legislatures have significantly slashed designated park funds. Thank You for Your Service Jim Higdon, GMA Executive Director August 4, 2011 In my 30-plus years in state government and a decade at GMA, I have seen the best and the worst in local government leaders, and I can honestly say that the best have far outweighed the worst.