Hampton Named ETCOG Chair

KILGORE — Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton has been appointed Chair of the East Texas Council of Governments Board of Directors at the group’s semi-annual meeting. Commissioner Hampton has served on the Board of Directors for eight years and says she’s looking forward to leading the board in the upcoming year. �It is an honor to serve as Board Chair for the East Texas Council of Governments. This organization helps Smith County and all surrounding counties work together for a greater mutual benefit,� Commissioner Hampton said.

The outgoing Chair, Emory Mayor Cay House, also presented Commissioner Hampton with the 2010 Chairman�s Service Award during the meeting. Mayor House said that Commissioner Hampton went above and beyond her duties as a board member and made it her mission to help members of ETCOG work together, bridge differences and reach goals throughout the year.

The East Texas Council of Governments is a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts within the fourteen-county East Texas region. ETCOG provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers and job seekers; peace officer training and homeland security planning services; rural transportation services; business finance programs; grant writing services; and environmental grant funding for the region.