Earlier this month Decatur became the first city ever named Georgia Speaker of the Year, an award given annually by the Barkley Forum of Emory University. Normally presented to individuals or groups, the award singled out Decatur for its “innovative and ethical leadership in implementing the Better Together Action Plan.”
Last December Decatur commissioners accepted the 21-page action plan that incorporates 60 action points covering differences in, among others, culture, race, age, politics and economic resources. Then in September the city named a 15-person Better Together Advisory Board charged with carrying out that plan.
Linda Harris, assistant director for community and economic development, said the board’s work of tackling the 60 tasks is expected to take three years, but its actual lifespan could prove much longer. City Manager Peggy Merriss said that she knows of no other city that’s fashioned a similar board.
Since 1967 the Barkley Forum has recognized those who align themselves with the organization’s values of “creating space for deliberative dialogue in pursuit of the public good.”
Past recipients include editorial columnist Ralph McGill, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Ted Turner and Andrew Young.
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