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Saturday, May 13, 2006 - The ticking of the clock became the underlying soundtrack today, as the EC2055 design team worked feverishly to complete their recommendations in time for Sunday's 2-4pm presentation at the county Court House. While they did, Executive Director Barton Rice and PlaceMaker Nathan Norris made a final trip out to the river for more ideas on tourism and economic development.
Once the charrette ends, the momentum gained over the past week will then become prelude to the real work, as citizens begin the process of implementing the ideas generated by the design team.
When they do, the folks at the Early County 2055 office, just around the corner at 182 Court Square, are ready.
Early County 2055 staffers have worked side by side with the design team this entire week, arranging the focus groups with local citizens and pulling together an incomprehensible amount of details to ensure the charrette's success.
You may have met them by now. If not, here they are:
Lisa Collins joined the team as Project Manager in April. As a south Georgia native, Lisa knows the area well and is passionate about strengthening Early County's heritage and culture while stimulating its economic base for the future. When it comes to community revitalization, Lisa knows her stuff. Prior to accepting the position here in Early County, she was the president and chief executive officer of UPtown Columbus, Inc., a non-profit organization in Columbus, GA, where she facilitated the economic revitalization initiatives throughout the city's central business district, riverfront, and overall uptown area.
Lisa is the proud parent of Samuel and Fran Collins. Fran graduated this week from Columbus State University with a degree in music, and Samuel will be a senior in high school this fall.
Kay Johnson is assistant to Lisa and also joined the team in April. Kay grew up in Blakely, joined the air force in 1979, lived all over the world and returned home in 1991. "I am thrilled to be a part of this effort. Just like everybody else, I would like our county to have more to offer the young people so they can stay here and raise a family. It would be great to see the square filled with thriving businesses again, and opened on Saturdays. I have to drive to Dothan to get my hair cut because there are no places open here." Kay has two grown sons. Jason works as a network administrator outside of Early County. Adam lives in Blakely and is enrolled in the criminal justice program at Bainbridge Junior College.
"The community input we've had this week has been amazing. We want the whole county to know that we are here to listen. This plan needs all of us. Together we can make it happen," said Lisa.
The Early County 2055 office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, at 182 Court Square. The mailing address is P.O. Box 725, Blakely, GA 39823. Phone (229)724-7558 or email early2055@alltel.net.
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 See the day come together.
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Architecture
