New GABCO leaders plan to expand organization’s reach

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -The Georgia Association of Black County Officials convened in Savannah on Sunday to elect new leadership.

The new leaders say they plan to grow membership and expand awareness of the organization’s work statewide. They want county, state and federal leaders to know GABCO’s initiatives and legislative priorities.

The group will work to support communities, from urban to rural, and help counties operate more effectively.

“Our region here in southeast Georgia is rapidly growing. And so, with that, we know that there are smaller counties throughout the country, throughout the state, that are kind of experiencing some of the same things. And so, we’ve got to find ways to pool resources to make sure that our electees are informed, very well educated on what’s happening,” said Aaron “Adot” Whitely, Chatham County commissioner for District 6.

Martin Raxton, newly elected vice president of GABCO, said the organization will focus on awareness, visibility, and ensuring that people everywhere feel represented.

“Bringing proposals, bringing the legislative agenda to these elected officials on the state and federal level that represent the communities where we live and serve, either in urban, rural, and other parts of the state of Georgia so that they hear the true things that we really need to make our counties run effectively,” Raxton said.

Next year, the organization will host the National Association of Counties, which represents all of the counties in the country.