Dayton Mayor to Lead Cities Group

DAYTON - Dayton May- or Craig George was elected President of the Association of Washington Cities last week during their Annual Conference in Kennewick. He will serve a one-year term.

The AWC is a non-profit group that represents all of Washington's 281 cities and towns. It is currently in its 80th year. During the past two years, George has served as secretary/treasurer and then vice president of the group's board of direc- tors.

George says that the AWC provides many impor- tant services for cities of all sizes in Washington. "Our three important service areas are advocacy, education and services to cities and towns," he said.

The AWC has a sizable lobbying organization that works with the state legis- lature on issues of interest to municipalities. George previously severed on the AWC's legislative commit- tee.

The group also organizes classes and seminars for municipal employees and elect- ed officials, and provides ongoing communications about issues of importance to cities.

George said that one of the biggest benefits AWC provides to Dayton is its in- surance services. "AWC has a risk management pool that makes insurance for the city much more affordable," he said. Besides liability insur- ance, AWC has health insur- ance plans available for city employees and some elected officials.

The AWC's 25-member board of directors is made up of elected city officials from throughout the state. It always includes at least one member each from Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane.

George will preside over regular board meetings of the AWC for the next year, and will also represent the group at this year's National League of Cities conference, which will be held in November in Seattle.

George and his wife, Cathy, moved to Dayton in 2001. He was elected to city council in 2004 and was first elected Mayor in 2007. He was re-elected in 2011.

George said the most enjoyable part of represent- ing Dayton in the AWC is the reaction he gets when he tells people he's from Dayton. "They always either say 'that's the neatest little city,'" he said, "or they say 'where's Dayton?', and I tell them all about what a great town we have."