Dougherty County officials laud election participation by volunteer students

ALBANY — Dougherty County Elections Supervisor Ginger Nickerson and Dougherty School System Superintendent Butch Mosely raved to the Dougherty County Commission Monday about local students’ participation in Albany’s Nov. 3 municipal election.

Fifteen students who are participants in the County Commission-sponsored Government Civic Awareness Program for Students took part in the elections process, according to Nickerson. The elections supervisor said the students were knowledgeable, helpful and very eager to fulfill the duties assigned them.

“They didn’t even want to take a break,” Nickerson told commissioners during their business meeting. “These students went through state-mandated training and were just awesome during the election. We look forward to building on this experience.”

Mosely, who said the participating students were “handpicked” by GCAPS volunteers, thanked the commission for allowing the students’ involvement in the program.

“I’d like to thank you for your collaboration in this program,” the school superintendent said. “Our school system is part of you, and you are part of our school system.”

A number of commissioners praised the program and the students involved.

“They brought enthusiasm and life to this experience,” District 3 Commissioner Clinton Johnson said.

Added District 4’s Ewell Lyle, “I can’t think of a better program to help our students learn about the elections process.”

District 5’s Harry James praised fellow commissioner John Hayes for his work with the GCAPS program.

In other action at the meeting, the board:

— Approved a $28,514 proposal by Atlantic Coast Consulting Inc. of Roswell for environmental monitoring with the county’s Solid Waste department;

— OK’d a recommendation that will allow the county District Attorney’s office to apply for a $40,000 Victim of Crimes Act grant;

— Signed off on blanket renewal of all alcohol beverage licenses in the county for 2016.