NACo News
What will you do to celebrate National County Government Month in April?
Teme: Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Teir Families
Te theme is set for the April celebration
of National County Government Month (NCGM) – Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forc- es and Teir Families.
Te goal of NCGM is to raise public aware- ness and understanding about the roles and re- sponsibilities of the nation’s 3,068 counties. “Counties are encouraged to link this year’s theme – Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Teir Families – to as many National County Government Month activities as pos- sible,” said NACo President Glen Whitley. “As county officials, we know that America’s counties provide essential programs and services to communities, but unfortunately many Amer- icans do not,” said Whitley. Popular events include holding public tours of county facilities; talking to students, commu- nity organizations and business leaders about county programs and services; holding essay and art contests; and sponsoring County Family Day events on the courthouse grounds. “You can hold media events, write newspaper columns, or be a guest on local radio and TV shows to discuss new county programs or high- light existing ones,” added Whitley. Since 1991, NACo has encouraged counties
to actively promote county government services and programs. Formerly National County Gov- ernment Week, the designation was expanded to a full month to offer counties more oppor-
Sept. 11 through Veterans Day, thanks to the American Legion Auxiliary. Citizens can sponsor a flag for $25, which goes to the Auxiliary. “This was the second year for it, and there were close to 300 flags,” said County Judge Claude Dill. “They were trying to double last year’s number,” he added.
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“When the wind’s blowing and those flags stand out, it is really a sight to see,” said Dill. “I think it really helps with respect for the flag, for younger people especially.” Other counties might want to partner with their American Legion or other local patriotic group to do something similar during April, as a striking way to observe National County Government Month.
tunities to participate. Counties aren’t expected to hold public awareness activities throughout the month, but can schedule activities any time during the month. “Tis year’s National County Government
Month theme is important and timely as more veterans, military service members and their families are turning to their county government
for services. In addition to my County Govern- ment Works initiative, I created the “Veterans and Military Service Task Force” to engage NACo members to develop and highlight best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits. To assist counties, a booklet is available from
NACo that provides ideas for the variety of ways counties can celebrate National County Gov- ernment Month. Many of these ideas and more are already available in the County Government Works section of the NACo website. “I know you are proud of your county’s pro- grams and services and the men and women who deliver them. Start planning today to cel- ebrate National County Government Month and participate in my County Government Works initiative.”
COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2011 55
he Cleburne County Courthouse lawn was filled with fluttering red, white and blue from
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