By Staff
I've learned in my short time in Brewton that when our area residents have a task to accomplish, you just need to get out of the way.
In the past few days I've learned about a number of projects that area groups are working on, including the city of Brewton's Alabama Communities of Excellence Committees and the Coastal Gateway Economic Development Authority.
Both groups are working on projects that will improve our quality of life - and could in turn attract visitors, new residents and new industries.
The ACE committees - who on Tuesday celebrated their &#8220graduation” from the program - are working on a number of projects.
Quality of life committee Chairwoman Carol Gordy said she wants to see Burnt Corn Creek Park improved with activities such as a canoe marina, extended walking trails and even an area for skateboarders.
Her husband, Joe Gordy, chairman of the ACE beautification committee, said his group wants to continue an idea to connect Burnt Corn Park to the old O'Bannon Park - and beyond, with a hiking and birding trail that would link to the YMCA and even to the city golf course.
Those ideas mesh nicely with the growing tourism efforts of the CGEDA, which hopes to capitalize on birding opportunities in the three counties it serves, Escambia, Monroe and Conecuh.
According to tourism leader Linda Spinks Vice, who spoke to the CGEDA last week, birders spend more money on their hobby than even golfers.
Vice pointed out a valuable lesson: &#8220Tourism is the place you start with community development,” she said.
Think about the things that would attract someone to Brewton - clean streets, activities for adults and children, places to go and things to see.
Those are also things that all of us want for our hometown, and they are the kind of developments that many different groups in our community are working toward.
I've seen - and sat on - committees that did little else but meet and push some paper and ideas around.
We are lucky in Brewton to have groups that not only have the time and the ideas but the wherewithal to get things done.
I'm looking forward to the changes - because I have little doubt they will happen.
Kerry Whipple Bean is publisher of The Brewton Standard. She can be reached at 867-4876 or by e-mail at kerry.bean@brewtonstandard.com.