One thing not mentioned at the meeting was our artists. This area has a very important and highly talented group of artists and fine craftsmen/women.

The problem is that those artists have a really hard time making the rent on buildings that are easy for tourists to get to. Their ( our ) work is homegrown yet those stores that sell cheap imports vastly out number the shops who sell local art for economic reasons.

You know, we actually have a gifted community historian. She should be consulted. Betty Boone Best (There was also Inez Burns, but she passed away. We could consult the book she worked on.)

Here are 2 of my nominees, although there's plenty to love and want to share about this place. Warning: all your wishes for warm fuzzies will go out the window because SOMEONE will have a problem with it.

I always loved that Alcoa (as in the Aluminum Co. of America) was one of the few places early in the 20th century that didn't discriminate on their wages. As I understand it, blacks and whites were paid the same [at least that's the story I heard]. Are there some old timers who could verify this?

Also, Maryville College had black students early in the history but was later forced to segregate. There has to be an interesting story there, although I'm ashamed to say I don't know it.

I guess I want to think we were progressive even back in the day (sorry to say there was a time when things like that would have been considered "progressive").

Here's the type of tourism these things could inspire more of: (link...)

This is deviating from topic a little, but while I'm on the subject of history... Some old timers say that the partisan choices of old Blount County families date back to the Civil War. Many of us locals have never chosen a party: We were born Republican or we were born Democrat and that was that. At least that's the way it was in my family.

Our best heritage is the strong fortitude of the people who settled here. Why they settled in these remote places and their stories of survival. Our natural assets are of course the Smokey Mountains.

Connor Prairie outside of Indy has the most amazing walking tour related to the Underground Railroad. Blount County, thanks in large part to our Quaker heritage has this same unique story to tell. CP's version (link...) but we could do the same without the vast acreage CP has.

Same goes with grave yard tours. Yeah, I said, not everything will appeal to everyone but I have been to all these places and they are simply amazing. And each has a walking or guided tour several times a year that takes something that seems familiar and turns it into a very unique experience whether you are simply a tourist or a resident.

Hornitos, CA All Soul's Day, night walking tour of St. Catherine's Church
(link...)

Marion, Ohio and the turning grave marker (link...)

Jacksonville, OR and and, oh, I just love Jacksonville, OR.
(link...)

Conservation.

These are all great questions to think about and give, um, thoughtful answers to (good luck!).

Can you clarify what they mean by "landscape"? Political, cultural, demographic, geographic, scenery, shrubs and trees...?

For the record- I have been trying to blog this since I walked out of that Townhall meeting on Friday. Events of the weekend have really pushed this back but now I am ready to roll.

And I just spewed enough sweet tea on my keyboard that DB should consider it payback....