The chambers of the City of Vidalia were filled Monday night for the August regular meeting of the City Council, but people weren’t there to confront the elected officials. Rather, most were there to honor a man who had dedicated 42 years of public service to the city.

On behalf of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), Dublin Mayor Phil Best came to present a GMA award to the family of the late Vidalia Mayor Ronnie Dixon for his service not just to the Sweet Onion City, but also to those within GMA’s Region 9 and the entire State of Georgia.

Best said the presentation by GMA honors municipal public servants who have faithfully given 35 years of service, and Mayor Dixon exceeded that with his four decades plus two years.

Mayor Best said through tears for his longtime friend, “Ronnie had many accomplishments. He was a true public servant, and through his love, Vidalia saw many strides including a revitalization of the downtown.”

In addition to serving on the Vidalia City Council and several years as the city’s Mayor, Dixon served on the Risk Management and Employee Benefit Program of the GMA and was a representative of District 9. Mayor Dixon was inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame in 2007 for his service.

Mayor Dixon passed away on April 1 of this year.