A celebration of service

Monthly activities mark ‘100 years of County Unity’ for Association in 2008

For the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, Jan. 1 will represent more than just the beginning of a new year. It will mark the beginning of a yearlong celebration for the Association’s 100th anniversary.

C.E. Foy, a Craven County commissioner from 1903-10, was the driving force behind the formation of the Association and was elected its first president at the inaugural meeting, held Aug. 19, 1908, in Morehead City. The Association will honor its past by holding our 2008 Annual Conference in Foy’s home of Craven County.

As befitting an organization with such a long and storied history, however, we can’t just confine our celebration to one event. At its Dec. 5 meeting, the Board of Directors approved a plan developed by a staff team that has been hard at work coming up with ideas for the celebration. The staff team has developed a theme (100 years of county unity), devised a commemorative logo and seal, and created a series of events and activities for counties to help us celebrate our past and look forward to another century of service.

While staff has been hard at work coming up with ideas, there is also a role for counties to play. After all, a game is no fun if nobody participates.

Throughout the year, the Association will provide counties with ideas for activities they can do to celebrate the centennial and to also draw attention to the challenges being faced by county governments. The fun begins in January, when the Association will encourage counties to conduct a State of the County address. Essay contests for high school sophomores, resolutions honoring the Association, commemorative cookbooks with some great recipes from each county, a parade of county flags at Annual Conference, a time capsule and other activities will take place throughout the year.

I encourage all counties to take the adopted theme – 100 years of county unity – to heart and actively participate in as many of the ideas devised by the Association. The centennial provides us with yet another excellent opportunity to communicate to our citizens about the important roles that county governments play in their lives. Please join with the rest of the counties across the state as we begin to celebrate this milestone.