On September 11, 2009 , the High Country Council of Government (HCCOG) Region D held its annual awards banquet to recognize outstanding contributions and achievements by elected officials, local government employees and advisory committee members. The HCCOG is a planning and development agency serving local governments in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties. Award winners wereselected by elected and appointed officials from the seven-county region. Executive board chairman J B Lawrence presented the awards and applauded all local government employees, local committee members and citizen volunteers for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.