Thank You For Your Service - Councilmember Crews' Last Meeting

First elected to the City Council in 2010, Councilmember Gary Crews has a long record of service to the people of Dalton. Monday night, he was recognized for that service during the final Mayor and Council meeting of his term. Crews was defeated last month in a re-election bid by local attorney Steve Farrow. 

"I don't think anyone was ever more committed to the City of Dalton than you," Mayor David Pennington told Crews during a brief ceremony during Monday night's meeting. Mayor Pennington noted that Crews had completed more than 200 hours of training through the Georgia Municipal Association during his time on the council in addition to his duties for the office.

In brief remarks after being presented with an award denoting his time with the council, Crews observed that, "where there is no vision, the people shall perish. I'm still going to be around with my vision, so you don't have to worry about that."

"I wish Steve [Farrow] the best of luck," Crews said, before thanking the various city staff members with whom he has worked during his tenure. "I’ve really got an appreciation for city employees because their whole thing they’re doing can change every two years. And I think that’s really who deserves most of the credit for what we’ve accomplished, just hanging in there with us and accepting our crazy ideas. Thank you.” 

During the business portion of Monday night's specially called session of the Mayor and Council, Mayor Pennington suggested that Crews make the motion for adoption of the city's 2022 budget. Crews, ever ready with a quip, did so with the comment, "I will make the motion since I don't have to sit here and take the grief." 

The 2022 budget passed by a unanimous 3-0 vote. Mayor Pennington typically only votes in the event of a tie and Councilmember Tyree Goodlett did not attend the meeting.

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Mayor and Council for Monday, December 20th has been called off to allow members and staff to be off during Christmas week. The council will next meet on Tuesday, January 4th. City offices will be closed Monday, January 3rd in observance of New Year's Day. 

Below: Councilmember Crews was honored during Monday night's meeting and afterwards during a brief reception in the lobby of City Hall