The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) inducted Richmond Hill Mayor Harold Fowler into the Municipal Government Hall of Fame at the association’s annual convention in Savannah on Monday.
The designation, awarded to only three public servants annually, honors municipal officials who exemplify the best in public service, and who, throughout their careers, have made extraordinary contributions to their communities and Georgia’s cities.
“I am incredibly honored to be inducted into GMA’s Hall of Fame,” Fowler said. “And although I am the one being recognized today, my public service to the city of Richmond Hill would have not been possible without the support of our fine citizens. Thank you.”
Fowler served from 1995 to 2005 on the Richmond Hill City Council and began his tenure as mayor in 2009. He was re-elected to that office in 2013. The city’s charter prevents people from serving more than two terms as mayor, and so Fowler is in his final six months in office. City Councilman Russ Carpenter is the only candidate so far to announce his candidacy for mayor in November’s election.
Under Fowler’s leadership, the city revamped its city ordinances, annexed the Belfast Commerce Center, added the 187acre Sterling Creek Park, implemented a sidewalk initiative to add pedestrian-friendly connectivity and acquired land for a 51-acre Town Centre to include civic, retail and restaurant space. In addition, the city launched a program to greatly reduce flooding in low-lying neighborhoods, constructed a new waste water treatment plant and increased police patrols.
City Council last October voted to name a street within the new Town Centre "Harold Fowler Drive."
“Mayor Fowler's induction into the GMA Hall of Fame is well deserved,” said Carpenter after the ceremony. “His involvement with GMA, and the progress he has led in Richmond Hill, not only as mayor but also as a councilmember, has been phenomenal. A while ago, I was speaking with a one of the mayor's political opponents, who openly admitted that Harold Fowler has been an excellent mayor. When your opponents are praising you, you have done something exceptional.”
In June 2016, Fowler was recognized by the GMA with the Robert E. Knox Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute Certificate.
“Even with all this keeping him busy leading his community, Mayor Fowler has also found time for GMA,” said GMA Executive Director Lamar Norton. “He’s served as a district officer, as a GMA Board member and been active in the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade every year since he became mayor.”
In addition, Fowler has completed 147 hours of training through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute.
Fowler is retired from the U.S. Department of Labor and is active in the local community, serving in the Lions and Exchange Club, Richmond Hill Rotary and American Legion. He is also a member of the Bryan County Hospital Authority, Bryan County Chamber of Commerce, and several other local civic organizations.
He is a 25-year resident of Bryan County and is married with three daughters.
Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to its 520 member cities.