The City of LaGrange is honoring LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton for his exceptional achievement with the Flame of Excellence award. This award serves to honor those who bravely light the way for others.
Mayor Thornton is resigning as mayor effective today, November 23rd. Thornton will assume the role of Director of Governmental Relations for the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) on November 28, 2022. In this full-time position, Thornton will lead the legislative advocacy team for GMA and will represent the interests of its member cities.
The LaGrange City Council also proclaimed Tuesday, November 22, 2022 Jim Thornton Day. Mayor Pro Tem Willie T. Edmondson read a proclamation in Mayor Thornton’s honor.
Thornton has practiced law in LaGrange for twenty-five years, and for the past twenty years has been a partner with the law firm of Thornton & Graham, P.C. He served one term on the LaGrange City Council and has been Mayor of LaGrange for the past nine years. Within GMA, Thornton has served on the Board of Directors, the Legislative Policy Council, and the Federal Policy Council. He previously chaired the Municipal Government Policy Committee, co-chaired GMA’s Equity and Inclusion Commission, and most recently completed a term as President of the organization. A graduate of LaGrange College and Emory University School of Law, Thornton previously chaired the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce and the Three Rivers Regional Commission. Thornton is currently a member of the state’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and is a graduate of Leadership Georgia.
The city council will hold a special election for mayor in March 2023. In the meantime, Councilman Willie T. Edmondson will preside in his role as Mayor Pro Tem.
To keep up with the latest news involving the City of LaGrange, go to www.lagrangega.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/lagrangegagov, Twitter at @lagrangegagov, & Instagram at instagram.com/cityoflagrangega.
