Meeting held at Mitchell County EMC office in Camilla. The Region 10 (RAC)
Regional Advisory Council meeting was called to order by Chair Courtney Brinson.
A welcome was extended to everyone in attendance. Courtney introduced special
guests and the two newest RAC Board Members; Neil Thompson from Lee County
and Tim Burch from Baker County. (Note: Tim Burch was absent). Visitors connected
with CLCP and Family Connection were asked to stand and introduce themselves and
what communities they were representing. As RAC member Camilla Payne entered
the room, Courtney announced to the group that she had surgery on both knees since
the last meeting and he wanted everyone to know how proud he was of her progress.
She was given a round of applause. After all the introductions and due to the events
that happened on September 11, Courtney asked that members pause for a special
prayer in regards to the tragedy.

The Agenda for the meeting was changed to accommodate the guest speakers and
guests concerning CLCP program and READI Certification.

Program
Courtney gave a brief overview of one of the RAC Initiatives as a result of the RAC
Retreat. In the quest for seeking additional information on community literacy, an
invitation was extended to Billie Izard to be the speaker for Session One. Billie is
with Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education in Atlanta and is serving
as Executive Director of the Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP). In her
presentation it was noted that adult illiteracy in Georgia is creating major economic
and social problems for the state. The results of illiteracy are not simple economics,
it is a social and cultural tragedy that so many adults cannot understand the
newspapers read books or complete an employment application.

Billie recognized the leaders of the CLCP program from the various technical colleges
and the communities' leaders that already have CLCP in place. She commended the
RAC members in their efforts to promote awareness of this program and offered her
support.

Approximately 43% of adults with the lowest skills live in poverty - 70% have no job
or a part-time job. Billie included in her presentation an analysis final report for each
countyin Region 10 according to the 1990 census, giving the CLCP Target for each
county over ten years.

Billie emphasized that CLCP is a collaborative effort mobilizing all community
resources. There are already some programs in place that can assist in promoting
andincreasing awareness of CLCP program. She explained how the application
process worked; who should be on the steering committee and the board and the
sub-committees. A question and answer session followed.

The business session followed:

Minutes
Minutes from the June 28, 2001 meeting were distributed and reviewed. Motion
for approval was given by India Taylor and seconded by Dr. James Johnson. Motion
carried unanimously.

A letter to Don Sims was drafted to show RAC's support in the Joint Development
Authority of Brooks, Colquitt, Grady, Mitchell and Thomas counties in their planning
for the renovations, upgrade and marketing of the Hand Trading Company building in
Pelham, Georgia. Upon approval of letter, a signed copy will be given to Don.

Report on Retreat Initiatives

CEO/Business Round Table
Spencer Mueller spoke on behalf of Duane Dodson with an update on the BREP
Surveys. Dougherty, Decatur have been completed. Early and Worth are in process.
After the surveys are completed the RAC Members will take a look and address the
trends that Region 10 is facing.

(CLCP) Certified Literate Community Program - A report was not
given due to Billie Izard speaking. Courtney asked for everyone's support in promoting
this project. Members are encouraged to review the material presented.

Eco-Tourism - Richard Crowdis reported that Spencer Mueller was working with
Golden Triangle RC&D in putting together a slide presentation for the Georgia Rural
Development Council Board on Eco-Tourism. Golden Triangle and DITT put together
a two-day tour of the area, giving everyone an opportunity to explore the area and to
see if it would be feasible to promote tours in the area. Richard asked for input from
various members that attended and what their thoughts were about the tour. Tour of
Spring Creek, alligator farm, Kolomoki State Park and Museum, Walter F. George
Lake, Suttons Corner Museum, Dapady Ranch, Stillpond Winery, farms of Tony
Smith, Mike Newberry, Henry and Hal Haddock thanks extended to Quail Country
Lodge and Conference Center and especially Linton Thompson, Jerome Brown, Pam
Graham, Kristen Smith, DITT representatives from other region was in attendance.

Irrigation - Crop Research Diversification Park.
Ralph Powell announced the C M Stripling Research Park in Camilla was in the
process of putting in irrigation pipe. Also work was beginning on one of the buildings.

Better Hometown Program
Julianne Hudson presented an overview of the Better Hometown program. This is
a self-help community development program for small cities (under 10,000
in population) designed to improve the Community's Quality of Life through sound
planning and implementation by community stakeholders. BHT's four-point revitalization approach similar to the one used in the Georgia Main Street Program includes policy,
design, economic development and marketing. According to Julianne there are five
cities in Region 10 that are Better Hometowns; Blakely, Dawson, Edison, Colquitt
and Donalsonville.

To be eligible to apply to the BHT program, a community must send a representative
to one of the four Applicant Workshops. One was held in Dawson and there were four
cities represented; Leesburg, Camilla, Pelham and Sylvester. Applications are due
October 26 and prior to submitting application two sites visits by DCA Staff must be
made. Announcement is made in January in Atlanta during the Mayor's Day Breakfast. Question and answer session followed.

DITT Update
Mary Jo Dudley thanked Richard Crowdis for giving her report (he gave an overview on
the two-day tour). Gutchen Brown, University of Georgia helped to put together the
eco-tourism tour. Plans are in the works to take an inventory of landowners. Conference
in December in Tifton to include agi-eco tourism. What do the farmers need to do to
get ready for bus tour. Putting together the package and brochures to promote their
property. New deputy commissioner Janice Cannon is from South Georgia and was
formerly with DITT.

Nominating Committee
Courtney appointed the following to serve
on the Nominating Committee: Ralph Powell, Greg Findley, Sam Russell, Gail Rakel
and Dot James. The committee will submit a slate of officers for 2002 term at the next meeting.

Next meeting date: November 8, 2001 at 11:30 a.m., at City Hall, 4th floor in
Camilla

Announcements
Dr. James Johnson, Darton College announced upcoming dates for a regional
leadership training course and encouraged members to take advantage of this
opportunity on October 26 and November 2 and 9, 2001. Scholarships are available.

Nancy O'Quinn announced requirements and made REPD awards announcement.

Meeting was adjourned for lunch.

READI (Regional Economic Advancement & Development Initiative)
Dara Barwick, DITT, introduced Jim Steed, DITT, Deputy Commission Economic
Development, Mary Ellen Massello, DITT and other guests. Jim introduced David
Sapp, DITT and paid tribute to him for all his efforts in promoting Southwest Georgia
in business and tourism.

Jim commended each community for all they had done in preparing for the READI Certification. In his speech he recognized various leaders that had worked with him
on other projects throughout the years. Professional development and leadership is
working together to raise the standards of Region 10. Jim explained the process of
recruiting business to locate in Georgia. He expressed thanks for the many people
involved with the Fall Feather Hunt each year and the time spent with business
prospects. He suggested that we support our existing businesses, as they are very
important to our region.

Dara and Mary Ellen Massello assisted Jim in presenting the READI certificate to
each county. All counties had a representative except for Calhoun. On behalf of
DITT, Jim presented a plaque to Courtney and the RAC membership. Courtney
accepted and then gave an overview of Dara's dedication and hard work in pursuing
the goal of a 100% participation in each community being READI certified and in turn presented the plaque to her. She was given a standing ovation of a job well done.

Thanks were extended to Duane Dodson, Georgia Power Company for the flowers
and balloons and to Marvin White, Mitchell County EMC on the use of the building
for the meeting. Courtney thanked everyone for attending and announced that the
meeting was adjourned.

Minutes were typed by Julianne Hudson, reviewed by Spencer Mueller and approved
by the members of Region 10 - Regional Advisory Council on November 8, 2001.

___________________________________________________Courtney Brinson,
Chairman


RAC Members Present:
Courtney Brinson, Cile Warr, Duane Dodson, Greg Findley, Dot James, Dr. James
Johnson, George Loyed, Camilla Payne, Ralph Powell, Gail Rakel, Sam Russell,
India Taylor, Neil Thompson, Marvin White, and Jud Vann

RAC Members Absent:
Tim Burch, Mills Herndon, Darrell Moore and Marty Shingler.

Staff Present: DCA, Spencer Mueller, Julianne Hudson - Regional Office- Blakely,
Cynthia Easley - Atlanta; GDITT, David Sapp, Dara Barwick, Mary Jo Dudley - Regional
Office, Mary Ellen Massello - Atlanta
RAC Partners , Jerome Brown, Todd Evans, Tim Martin, Maxie Goff, Nancy O'Quinn
and Brad Loftin

Guests: Billie Izard, Jim Steed, Barbara Reddick, Benita Hines, Leigh Williams, Linda
Coston, J K Barnette, Lola Godfrey, Brenda Broome, Christi Dockery, Sharon
Williams, Jerry Smith, Sheryl Rehberg, Suzanna MacIntosh, Kathy Megahee, Debbie
McIntyre and Wanda Hudson.

Back

©2001 Georgia Department of Community Affairs
All rights reserved.