Chamblee officials recognized for pledging to engage in civil behavior

Chamblee officials’ prioritization of courtesy has earned the city a new designation through the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA).

GMA, an organization that, according to its website, provides leadership, tools, and services that assist municipal governments in becoming more innovative, effective, and responsive, designated Chamblee a City of Civility in May after city officials adopted a civility resolution.

According to a press release, Chamblee officials participated in a new GMA program in April called “Embrace Civility.”

According to officials, “GMA, in partnership with the nonprofit Georgia City Solutions, created the ‘Embrace Civility’ program to equip Georgia’s cities with resources to create more civility in their meetings and among their residents and meeting attendees. Civil behavior and speech are critically important to a healthy, functional, and respectful society. For public service to be effective, there must be an atmosphere of respect and tolerance and a commitment to a healthy public exchange of diverse ideas and viewpoints.”

To become a City of Civility, city councils are required to adopt a Civility Resolution and pledge to engage in civil behavior with each other as well as with residents and meeting attendees, according to the GMA website.

“We are proud to participate in GMA’s Embrace Civility program,” said Chamblee Mayor Brian Mock. “We are committed to engaging in respectful and healthy discourse that governs and promotes our city in the best interests of our residents.”

GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson commended Chamblee on adopting the resolution and becoming a City of Civility. “We believe that Georgia’s cities have a great platform to model open, free, and vigorous debate, while maintaining the highest standards of civility, honesty, and mutual respect.”

For more information, visit www.chambleega.com and www.gacities.com.