David Keener was appointed in April 2009 by a unanimous 4-0 vote to complete the unexpired term of his late Father-In-Law (David Terry) on the Social Circle City Council. He was subsequently elected by the voters in November 2009 to serve as City Councilman for District 3 in Social Circle. 

David is 59 years old, married to his wonderful wife, Penny, who is extensively involved in community service and who supports him in everything he does.   David and Penny have lived in Social Circle for 19 years.  David owns a successful computer/networking business in Social Circle (Keener Computer Services) and retired as a Director from AT&T after 35 years of dedicated service in a leadership role managing more than 300 employees in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.  David brings considerable experience to the city, having served as a member of Social Circle Better Hometown, Social Circle Lion’s Club, Historic Preservation Society of Social Circle, the Friends of the W. H. Stanton Memorial Library, and the Walton County Chamber of Commerce (Chamber: through membership of the City of Social Circle).  David and Penny also volunteer for FISH (Faith in Serving Humanity) through the Social Circle United Methodist Church and always feel blessed to be able to participate in all community events. 

David was honored to receive the prestigious awards of "Certificate of Recognition," "Certificate of Achievement," and "Certificate of Excellence" from the Georgia Municipal Training Institute and the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute for Elected Officials. He was also extremely honored in 2012 to be awarded a Certificate for successful completion of "Leadership Training for Elected Officials" by the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute.

 As part of David's local government training and continuing education he has completed the following courses:

1. Newly Elected Officials Institute
   This two-day course provides a general overview of the function of municipal government in Georgia and the role and responsibilities of mayor and councilmembers. The course provides an introduction to key issues such as ethics, municipal finance, personnel management, planning and zoning, open meetings and open records, and parliamentary procedure. This course is required by state law for municipal elected officials elected after July 1, 1991.
   
   
2. Open Meetings/Open Records
   This course familiarizes municipal elected officials with Georgia's open meetings and open records laws and the potential consequences for failing to adhere to them. Hypothetical scenarios are used to give participants a better understanding of their responsibilities and obligations for complying with these statutes.
   
   
3. Economic Development
   This course provides a basic overview of the economic development process, with a focus on the strategies, resources and programs employed by the state of Georgia to assist communities in achieving success in today's global economy. Topics such as community development building blocks, business development strategies, regional cooperation, and the role of local leadership in economic development are covered.
   
   
4. Taxation 101 - The Basics
   This course will give municipal elected officials a broad understanding of the fundamentals of local government taxation including property tax, occupation tax, hotel-motel tax, sales and use and alcohol beverage excise tax. Participants will gain an understanding of tax language, appropriate usage of revenues and will be better prepared to communicate tax issues to constituents and make prudent decisions related to revenue expenditures.
   
   
5. Municipal Finance I
   This course is intended to serve as a basic primer on municipal finance issues that all mayors and councilmembers should understand. Included in this general overview is a discussion of the budget process, the revenue sources available to cities, purchasing policies and financing capital improvements.
   
   
6. Managing Meetings and Parliamentary Procedures
   This course teaches elected officials how to conduct more effective and orderly meetings. A major focus of the course is the proper use of parliamentary procedure. Participants are also taught how to sell ideas, manage conflict and promote consensus.
   
   
7. Municipal Law
   This course reviews the sources and limitations of authority granted to municipal governments by the federal and state constitutions, as well as statutes enacted by the U.S. Congress and Georgia General Assembly. The role and function of the municipal charter is also discussed. Other key topics covered during this course include municipal contracts, annexation, legal aspects of boards and authorities, and the personal liability of public officials.
   
   
8. Downtown Development Authorities
   This course is primarily directed at those who serve on Downtown Development Authorities but is open to all elected officials. Topics include management of downtown as a valuable resource; the role of the authority and of board members and staff; DDA laws; and the day-to-day operations of an authority.
   
   
9. Human Resources II
   This course focuses on areas of human resource management such as performance appraisal systems; recruiting, interviewing, hiring and retaining staff; employee benefits; and employee training. The course builds on information provided in Human Resources I.
   
   
10. Municipal Finance II
    This course emphasizes the importance of establishing sound financial policies and provides participants with a better understanding of how to read and understand audited city financial statements, assess the effectiveness of internal accounting controls, and manage a city's cash and investments.
    
    
11. Risk Management and Insurance
    This course provides a general introduction to the concepts of risk management and insurance. It reviews the current state of the insurance market both nationally and in Georgia and identifies alternative ways to cover municipal risks. In addition, the course focuses on the importance of loss control and safety training as a means of reducing insurance claims.
    
    
12. Fire and Emergency Medical Services
    This course will expose municipal elected officials to some of the basic concepts involved in providing municipal fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical services. In addition to reviewing applicable laws and codes, the course will cover emerging issues and new technologies.
    
    
13. Managing Growth: Economic and Natural Resource Issues
    This course shows city leaders how they can exert meaningful control over how their community grows. Topics include economic and ecological considerations, protecting water quality, regulatory initiatives and regionalization. Promoting infill development and redevelopment, preserving land and capturing private investment are also covered.
    
    
14. Technology Solutions for Cities: Innovations and Best Practices
    Municipalities must look to new and emerging technologies as one of the primary ways of becoming more efficient and effective, especially in this challenging economic environment. The course will highlight some of the interesting and creative uses of technology that have enabled a number of Georgia’s cities to improve service delivery and responsiveness, as well as make their operations more transparent to the public. The costs and challenges of implementing these technological solutions will be examined. Participants will also learn about new technologies to anticipate in the future and how they may be applicable to municipal operations.
    
    
15. Making Citizen Engagement Work in Our Communities
    Have you ever wondered why it’s difficult to get citizens engaged in a positive way to contribute to the process of governance? This special course will explore the importance of getting citizens engaged. Participants will hear from city elected and appointed officials who are learning how to do it well. The course will also expose officials to the concept of deliberative forums, a method of citizen engagement that brings diverse community interests together to explore policy options and share insights, ideas, and suggestions in a structured setting. Participants will receive tips, tools, and other resources for recruiting citizens, creating productive conversations, and encouraging citizens to be involved in local problem solving.
    
    
16. Revitalizing Neighborhoods: Tools for Local Officials
    This course provides an overview of the tools and resources available to cities interested in effectively responding to neighborhood problems such as dilapidated and unsafe structures, unsightly property, junk automobiles, weeds, trash and other nuisances. Topics include Georgia's Urban Redevelopment law, code enforcement and land bank authorities.
    
    
17. City, County and Regional Cooperation
    This course, offered at a joint training session with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, provides participants with a general overview of the role and functions of municipal and county governments and explores the benefits of intergovernmental cooperation at the local and regional levels. Perspectives are shared by city and county elected officials and staff from jurisdictions that have created an environment of mutual trust and respect.
    
    
18. Critical Issues
    On occasion, GMA co-sponsors special one-time workshops and training events that address important municipal issues or concerns. If designated as a "critical issue" by GMA, elected officials receive credit for attending. Participants are entitled to apply two of these courses toward their training certification.
    
    
19. Building a Hometown Connection: GMA Lobbying 101
    This course provides an overview of the state legislative process and helps city officials understand how they can be effective advocates of issues important to their community and cities throughout the state. Participants receive ideas for establishing productive year-round relationships with members of the General Assembly as well as practical lobbying tips they can use during the legislative session. The course also includes a hands-on exercise using real-life legislative scenarios.
    
    
20. Municipal Codes and Court: Enforcing Ordinances
    This course provides an orientation on the basic operation of municipal courts with respect to the adjudication and enforcement of traffic offenses, certain misdemeanors, and municipal ordinance violations.
    
    
21. Planning and Zoning
    This course examines the difficult choices elected officials encounter in stimulating economic well-being, protecting public infrastructure investment, and maintaining environmental integrity. It examines legal considerations for planning and zoning, the role of the mayor and council, and practical steps for maintaining a comprehensive plan and effective zoning procedures. In addition, the course highlights issues, barriers and policy solutions associated with efforts to achieve desirable patterns of development.
    
    
22. Ethics
    This course examines the importance of ethical conduct in the administration of one's public duties and how ethical lapses can severely damage the reputation of both individual officeholders and the city. An overview of state ethics laws and regulations that apply to municipal officials, including campaign financing and private interest disclosure requirements, is provided. Ethical dilemmas that often confront public officials and the value of strong local ethics ordinances are also discussed.
    
    
23. Council-Staff Relationships
    This course explores the unique perspectives of municipal elected officials and staff and how a greater understanding of each other's perspectives can reduce friction and misunderstanding and result in improved public service delivery. The distinction between policy making and administration and other council-staff related issues are explored using exercises, case studies and group discussion.
    
    
24. Leadership Institute Alumni Seminar
    This course is offered from time to time and is only open to alumni of the annual Leadership Institute for Municipal Elected Officials. Aimed at renewing municipal officials’ commitment to leadership development, the course builds on the Leadership Institute’s themes although topics and course instructors vary from year to year.