Friends and colleagues gathered at Mt. Airy City Hall Friday to celebrate the service and achievements of Gary Morris who is stepping down as mayor at the end of this year.
“He’s a great man, I’ve been his mayor pro-tem for 20 years, and I couldn’t ask for a better person to work beside,” said Mt. Airy Mayor Pro-Tem Mike McCoy. “I’m proud to know him for the years I’ve known him.”
The Georgia Municipal Association awarded Morris its “Lifetime Achievement Award,” honoring his years of service to the Mt. Airy and Habersham communities by helping the city grow, leading the refurbishment of the Historic Mt. Airy School, creating the Mt. Airy City Park and his service on several boards and authorities over the years.
Morris has also dedicated his time to local civic groups, like the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Mt. Airy Civic Association.
“Morris has demonstrated his love of Mt. Airy through his many years of generous service to its citizens,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson. “This city is fortunate to have had that kind of dedicated leadership, and GMA and Georgia’s cities are also grateful to have seen the example he set for all city leaders.”
“It means so much to me to have made the friendships— we’ve talked about all these things that I’ve been a part of— the greatest thing I’ll remember is having friendships with people that I’ve worked with here over the years,” Morris said. “There are so many good people that I’ve had the privilege of working with.”
Morris will retire from his career in public service and local government on Dec. 31. He has been involved with the Town of Mt. Airy Council for 35 years, where he has served as a councilman, mayor pro-tem, and mayor.
