Mayor Ordiales named ‘Elected Official of the Year’ by GMRC

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Mayor Liz Ordiales received recognition from the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission (GMRC) as the organization’s ‘Elected Official of the Year’ on Friday, Dec. 6. Mayor Ordiales was initially elected to serve on Hiawassee City Council, Post 5, in 2015, and was selected by fellow council members to serve as mayor pro tem in the Spring of 2017. Ordiales was elected as mayor of Hiawassee in Nov. 2017.

“We have incredible resources in our natural beauty, our lake, our mountains, our trails – all of which lead us to be Georgia’s Lake and Mountain Paradise,” Ordiales told FYN during her 2017 election campaign. “We have lots of work to do to establish our infrastructure, manage our finances, and develop an even better place to live.” Ordiales has not lost focus of her goals for the City of Hiawassee since taking office, diligently working to accomplish the set objectives.

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“Liz is a fabulous leader and a tremendous individual,” Lynn McPeak, a longtime supporter of Ordiales said, congratulating the mayor on the GMRC award. “Hiawassee is indeed blessed.”

The stated mission of the GMRC is: “To serve the local governments of the Georgia Mountains Region by improving the quality of life through economic development, community planning, information technology, and workforce development to support and enhance the region’s prosperity.”

The GMRC is one of 12 planning and development districts in Georgia focused on providing technical assistance to 13 counties and 38 municipalities in the areas of planning, economic development, information services and technology, and workforce development. The purpose of the GMRC is to promote regional cooperation, coordinate the activities and policies of member local governments, and provide assistance to local governments.

The Georgia Mountains Region spans approximately 3,500 square miles and includes Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White Counties and all municipalities within these counties. The GMRC works with these communities to formulate goals and strategies for area growth and development. Upon request, the GMRC provides a variety of technical assistance that will improve community services and the quality of life for residents in the Georgia Mountains Region.

The GMRC is guided by a forty-four (44) member Council and is composed of individuals appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker and one county elected official, one city elected official and one private-sector individual from each of our 13 counties. City, County, and private sector representatives are chosen by the cities and counties they represent. The Council is responsible for all policy decisions. The GMRC is funded by a variety of sources, including federal, state, and local funds. The annual RC budget is reviewed and approved by the Council.

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