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Franklin Treasurer Dinah M. Babb recently was presented with the Commonwealth Award from the Treasurers’ Association of Virginia (TAV) in appreciation and recognition for her years of dedicated service to the association.

Interim Franklin City Manager Darlene Burcham, Franklin Mayor Robert “Bobby” Cutchins and the rest of the Franklin City Council took some time during the council’s July 22 meeting to honor Babb for receiving this award.

“Mr. Mayor and members of council, I’ve learned that your city treasurer was recently recognized by the Treasurers’ Association,” Burcham said, “and I felt that that recognition deserved some special opportunity to be heard by not only you all but by the public.”

She asked Babb to come forward as Cutchins shared some remarks and re-presented her with the plaque she originally received June 25 at the TAV Annual Conference in Falls Church.

“Tonight on behalf of the city of Franklin City Council, it’s with great pride that we celebrate Dinah Babb’s receipt of the prestigious 2024 Commonwealth Award,” Cutchins said. “Ms. Babb serves on many committees (with the TAV). Currently she serves on the Legislative and Nominating committees and as co-chair of the Continuing Education Subcommittee. She travels the state co-hosting district meetings.

“Dinah, as we congratulate you on this well-deserved honor, we also express our heartfelt thanks for your outstanding service,” he added. “May your passion for excellence continue to inspire us. We forge ahead together.”

He invited everyone present at the council meeting to join him in celebrating Babb, and applause followed.

“This was a very special honor from our association,” Babb said. “This award is not given every year to members of our association, so I was very honored.”

The 350 members of the association include treasurers, deputy treasurers and staff for cities, counties and towns across the state, and Babb said she was very humbled that they felt she was worthy of the Commonwealth Award.

The TAV provides the following description of the award and the criteria that its recipients must meet: “A special award that is not awarded every year. It recognizes vision, integrity and leadership in the association. It is to recognize years of devoted service and accomplishment of a major goal of TAV and huge contributions to the association.” 

Babb has been a member of the TAV since March 2005, and she served as the association’s president from June 2022 to June 2023.

She concluded her remarks on the award at the July 22 council meeting by saying, “I think a lot of this locality, but I also have a strong belief in our association and what we do to provide excellency in our treasurers, teaching them all about what we do for our office and helping us become better treasurers and better servants to our communities. So thank you again for presenting this.”