Ball Ground is off to a great start this year. In January, we welcomed two new council members, Dennis Nelson and Kristine Rogers, and Mayor A. R. (Rick) Roberts, III, is back for another term.

Vicki Benefield was sworn in as council member last November to fill the unexpired term of Frank Homiller. Even though Benefield, Rogers, and Nelson have never served as elected officials, they have hit the ground running.

As required by Georgia Law, mayors and city council members who are elected or reelected after July 1, 1990, must attend the Newly Elected Institute coordinated by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). This training, which took place last month, provides an orientation to city government and prepares new municipal officials to face the variety of situations they encounter upon taking office.

Benefield has been a Ball Ground resident for five years. Her love for our city prompted her to run for a seat on the city council. Her goal is to preserve the current quality of life in Ball Ground for all to enjoy for generations to come.

Nelson has been a Ball Ground resident for three years. He also loves our city and wants to preserve the quality of life that is valued by those who live here. While employed in law enforcement for the past 41 years, Nelson gained knowledge and experience working with elected officials and citizens, which he believes will serve him well as a member of city council.

Rogers has been a Ball Ground resident for more than 15 years. She has a genuine passion for our city and believes her past workforce experience uniquely qualifies her to sit on the city council.

Mayor Roberts began his term as council member in January 1986. In June 1988, then Mayor John Segars vacated his seat to run for probate judge, and Roberts was sworn in as mayor in the July 1988 council meeting where he served until the end of 1993.

Roberts' break from politics did not last long. When Mayor Calvin Hill vacated his seat in January 1996, Roberts was once again sworn in as Ball Ground's mayor and has held the position ever since.

Much has been accomplished under the leadership of Mayor Roberts and the men and women who have served alongside him. Their vision and hard work have made Ball Ground what it is today. Mayor Roberts has often said, "If you're not growing, you're dying," and our city has grown quite a bit in in the last few decades.

The 1990 census showed that Ball Ground had a population of 905. The most recent census revealed a population of 2,560, and the city continues to grow.

Under the leadership of Mayor Roberts and the current city council, residents can rest assured that we will continue to progress responsibly to ensure that Ball Ground always remains The Place To Be!