Ethan Peacock, a sixth-grader at Southeast Bulloch Middle School, would work with the community to improve safety and emergency care if he were mayor. The essay in which Peacock expressed those ideas was selected as a winner of the Georgia Municipal Association’s statewide “If I Were Mayor, I Would...” essay contest.
    Peacock's essay was one of 408 received from students in the GMA’s 12th district. He and 11 other winners were honored at a luncheon at Turner Field in Atlanta on May 7. Each student received a $250 check and various other small prizes. He was joined at the luncheon by his family and language arts teacher Cindy Oliver.
    A panel of officials who are also educators or involved in youth programs selected the winning essays based upon creativity, clarity, sincerity of thought and proper use of grammar.
    Based in Atlanta, the GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization providing legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to its 520 member cities.