Houston County leaders push for transparency with residents
PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston County leaders say remaining transparent with the community is one of the most effective ways they can succeed.
Larry Walker gave the county high praise, calling it “Georgia’s most politically unified county.”
He served as the moderator in this year’s community luncheon.
“I think it’s so evident how they work together. A lot of communities that’s not true. This is a very united community politically and when I say community I mean Houston County,” Walker said.
Leaders from different organizations and governments filled Houston County’s Board of Education Annex to hear the latest on the county’s progress.
“Try to get the message out about what the community needs to hear related to what’s going on in there organization,” John Brownlee with the Perry Chamber of Commerce said.
Brownlee, the head of the chamber’s governmental affairs committee, believes an open dialogue between the business community and county leaders is essential.
“The city of Perry and Houston County have a great legacy of leadership throughout the state, and we think that this is one of the ways that that legacy continues,” Brownlee said.
The panel included officials from the city of Perry, Houston County’s school board, representatives from Robins Air Force Base and the county’s development authority.
Each leader answered community questions and pointed out several topics for improvement including growing the county’s economy, preparing for another round of base realignment and closures, and thoughts on the common core standard.
“Education is always on people’s minds. They don’t like the taxes raised and we haven’t seen much of that in this county in the last 15 years or so,” Walker said.
The group adds keeping costs low is a portion of the county’s success.
“I think that’s part of it too, to brag a little bit about what’s happening in Houston County, and what’s happening in Perry, really all over the county,” Walker said.
Walker says officials will take the feedback they’ve received from residents and the business community and try to focus on certain areas moving forward.
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