Councilwoman attends state training program

Editor:

As a newly elected official, I recently attended the 2013 City Official Academy for training toward our Carrollton City Council for my two-year term. This was not a mandatory training, but I thought it would be extremely beneficial for me. It was a three-day conference with intensive training sessions and great networking opportunities. Session topics included the framework of city government, city finances, identifying risks, open records, ordinances/orders and resolutions, open meetings, conducting effective meetings, personal laws for council members, planning and zoning, and more.

I learned an immense amount of vital information that I believe will aid me in my term. I also met a lot of great city officials across the great state of Kentucky. One lady I met had an impact on me that I will never forget and my conversation with her stuck with me even on the way home.

I told her my story — from Carrollton, and excited to be a newly elected official, ready to learn and take back a lot of new knowledge and hit the ground running. She proceeded to tell me her story. She has been on her city’s council for 20-plus years and she still learns something new every day. She said there is absolutely no way a person could learn all there is to know in a short period of time.

This made me feel at ease and excited at the same time, after feeling somewhat overwhelmed. It reminded me of a quote from a fellow councilwoman, “You’re never too old to learn.” So even after learning a great deal at this wonderful, in-depth, well-prepared conference, I’m still excited to learn more during my term and put it to good use along the way.

I’m so thankful the citizens of Carrollton put their faith and trust in me to work with other council members and mayor to help make great decisions for our community. I am young and will be learning along the way with the help/guidance of others and under great leaders. My biggest goal is to make you all proud. Thank you again for your undying support and for voting me onto our city council.

Hayley Franklin