Sparta Mayor John Miller (left) receives the Intergovernmental Relations Award from Pete Averette.

Miller nets Intergovernmental Relations Award

Sparta Mayor John Miller was honored by being presented with the annual North Carolina Intergovernmental Relations Award in Raleigh May 31.

The purpose of the award, given annually to one of 17 elected Joint Regional Government Council members, is to honor a current local government official who has made significant contributions to promote, develop and foster intergovernmental relations and cooperation in North Carolina, said a news release from the High Country Council of Governments (COG). Each of the elected Joint Council members represents one of the 17 COG districts in the state. Alleghany is one of seven northwest counties in the High Country district.

Prior to beginning his work for the town as mayor in 1982, Miller began serving on the Alleghany Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees in 1971 and has served as chairman of the board since 1980. Miller also served in the field of education, serving as a teacher and principal at both Sparta School and Piney Creek School for a total of more than 30 years. Regionally, Miller has served as an executive board member of the High Country COG for the last 25 years and during that time has been honored with the Outstanding Executive Board Member Award three times. Miller is also involved in the North Carolina League of Municipalities, where he serves on the Transportation, Communication and Public Safety Committee.

Of Miller's recognition, Rick Herndon, High Country COG executive director, said, "John has made a difference in our region. He is a spokesman for regionalism and has always promoted working together to make things happen."

A COG press release said Miller "has been instrumental in building support for the Sparta Teapot Museum project, which will have regional and statewide appeal as a cultural tourism attraction for northwestern North Carolina. He has exhibited leadership in the formation of a regional water authority which will serve the municipalities of Sparta and Independence, Va."

Miller accepted the award from Granville County commissioner Pete Averette, who won the award last year.

During the June 6 town meeting, Miller received a round of applause from his peers after the honor was first officially announced. Miller told his cohorts, "I do appreciate it (the award). When they called my name out to get this award I was the most surprised one. I feel really good about that and I thank you and everybody who had anything to do with that."

The award is sponsored by an array of statewide local governmental groups including the N.C. Joint Regional Forum and the N.C. Association of Regional Council Executive Directors, in cooperation with the N.C Association of County Commissioners and the N.C. League of Municipalities.

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