While College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom has seen her authority constrained by city council, her leadership has been recognized by the Georgia Municipal Association.
Motley Broom was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual convention in Savannah last weekend. She received the honor while remaining at odds with city council and did not participate in the body’s decision to hold a College Park council meeting in Savannah on June 28.
Motley Broom described being inducted into the hall of fame as humbling.
“I consistently work to earn the respect of the people that I work with across Georgia,” she told SaportaReport. “I am beyond grateful to serve all 536 cities in the state. I have witnessed the power of positive leadership in every corner of Georgia… I engage with colleagues in every district in the state.”
Over the past two years, College Park residents have criticized city council for approving ordinances that have reduced Motley Broom’s authority during meetings.
Motley Broom is the outgoing president of the Georgia Municipal Association, and previously served in three vice president roles with the organization, and chaired several policy councils.
She was inducted along with Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II, Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz, and Richard A. Carothers of Carothers & Mitchell Attorneys at Law.
“The Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose leadership has left a lasting mark not only on their communities but on municipal government throughout our state,” said Larry Hanson, CEO and Executive Director of the Georgia Municipal Association, in a statement.
He continued: “Each of these leaders exemplify the dedication, vision and commitment to public service that have strengthened Georgia’s cities and improved the lives of countless residents. Their contributions will continue to inspire future generations of municipal leaders.”
Motley Broom’s leadership has helped College Park attract more than $100 million in public and private investment, supporting new housing and revitalizing areas affected by historic disinvestment, the association said.
