Former commissioner Mack honored by Girl Scouts

GAINESVILLE - Former Hall County Commissioner Deborah Mack was honored Tuesday by the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia as their 2013 Woman of Distinction.

Mack, who was elected to office in 2002, served as a commissioner for six years. She also was honored for her involvement on the boards of a number of community agencies - Hall County Board of Heath, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Hall County. Mack also is a founding member and past president of both WomenSource and Gateway Domestic Violence Center.

Mack became the 15th Woman of Distinction chosen by the Girl Scouts, and she said she has helped select other recipients in past years.

"I'm honored to be chosen, to be in what I call the 'Hall of Fame' with the other women who have come before me," said Mack. "But, I'm also humbled that they thought that much about me to bestow this honor upon me."

Mack is perhaps best know for her trademark hats, and in fact, many of the hundreds of women who attended Tuesday's event at Gainesville's First United Methodist Church wore hats in tribute to Mack.

One of the biggest surprises for Mack was a visit from her niece Sgt. Maj. Tamela Dean, who made the trip to Gainesville from Newport News, Va. so that she could pay tribute to her aunt.

By the way, Mack was a Girl Scout at one time, she said.

"[My favorite thing was]getting out and getting to camp and go swimming and things like that, and learning how to fix that stew that they would make...I loved it!"