Text of Press Release Issued by the North Carolina Association of Regional Council Directors

Representative Lucy Allen Honored As “Champion of Regional Councils”

Representative Lucy Allen was recognized with the “Champion of Regional Councils” award at the Regional Legislative Reception held on January 31^st in Raleigh.

The N.C. Association of Regional Council Directors hosted the reception for all legislators and local government officials from all seventeen regions across the state.

Terry Garrison, Vance County Commissioner and President of the NC Association of County Commissioners, along with Tim Ware, Chairman of the NC Association of Regional Council Directors presented Representative Lucy Allen with the award that honors her service to local governments and regional councils of government.

 Mr. Garrison stated that it was a privilege to present this special award to Representative Allen. Mr. Garrison noted that Representative Allen knows local government needs and issues from her time in the Mayor’s Office in Louisburg in Franklin County. However, her service never stopped at her town limits as she rose in service of towns and cities throughout North Carolina and ultimately served as President of the NC League of Municipalities and as a Board Member of the National League of Cities.  

Representative Allen’s desire for service directed her to run for the NC House of Representatives, and voters in the 49^th District elected her in 2002, 2004 and again in 2006. In this capacity, Representative Allen has served on the following committees: 

• Legislative Commission on Growth
• Legislative Commission on Land & Water Conservation

 Representative Allen has always been a strong advocate for regional approaches for infrastructure, both water and sewer and Rural Transportation Organizations that continue to provide rural officials with a voice in transportation planning and projects statewide. Representative Allen also served as co-chair of the House Transportation Committee in the 2005 and 2006 sessions, where she continued to provide a voice for local governments and regions in addressing the transportation needs of our citizens.  

Mr. Garrison concluded his remarks and presented Representative Lucy Allen with a memento, a plaque citing her service to her home COG, Kerr-Tar, and COGs and Regional Councils throughout the State as a “Champion of Regional Councils”. 

The North Carolina Association of Regional Council Directors is a non-profit trade organization representing Councils of Government (COGs) and regional planning and development commissions throughout North Carolina.  The Association and elected officials from each region studies local and regional issues and makes recommendations on policies, priorities, and other matters affecting regional councils and their local governments.