Bell appointed to NACo's justice committee

GAINESVILLE - Hall County Commissioner Ashley Bell has been appointed to the National Association of Counties' (NACo) Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee.

The Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee is responsible for all NACo matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning; law enforcement; courts; corrections; homeland security; community crime prevention; juvenile justice and delinquency prevention; emergency management; fire prevention and control; and civil disturbances.

NACo's steering committees annually review and make recommendations to the NACo Board of Directors on public policy issues and federal legislation. The policy development process initiated by the steering committees leads to the publication of the American County Platform, which NACo uses as a guide to deliver the county government message to the administration, Congress and the American public.

"I am honored to serve on the NACo Justice and Public Safety Committee," Bell said. "I believe that the experience I have obtained in the Hall County court system and statewide will be very helpful in my role in shaping national criminal justice policy for NACo, and I look forward to bringing back ideas to enhance our justice system at home."

A Hall County native, Bell is a graduate of Gainesville High School and Valdosta State University. He attended law school at the University of Georgia and Louisiana State University. He is an attorney and partner at Bell & Washington, LLP, practicing law throughout the state of Georgia.