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Published Friday, October 09, 2009 in Local

Moreland looking at ways to boost town's tourism

By Winston Skinner

The Times-Herald

The town of Moreland is looking at ways to bring tourists to town.

Mayor Josh Evans talked about the efforts at the Tuesday meeting of the Moreland Town Council in the Moreland Mill. He has talked with Lynn Miller with Three Rivers Planning and Development District about the possibility of "some grants to help out the museums," he said.

Evans said there have been discussions about the Old Mill Museum and the Erskine Caldwell Birthplace and Museum joining forces to get a grant. The ultimate goal would be to hire someone "so we could keep them open," he said.

Evans also has met with Brittney Gray of the Georgia Department of Economic Development about tourism options. He said he plans an upcoming meeting with Gray and Pam Mayer of the Coweta County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From those meetings, Evans said he hopes to gain some insight into "how tourism can be an economic tool" for Moreland. He said more tourism might bring in businesses, such a restaurants, and "maybe create some more jobs."

Moreland is home to the Old Mill Museum, which chronicles the town's agricultural history prior to World War II, as well as museums honoring local writers Caldwell and Lewis Grizzard.

Evans talked about the success of the recent Lewis Grizzard Catfish Ride benefit for the Ferst Foundation, which brought people through Moreland. "I think that's going to grow over the years," Evans said..

In other business:

• Evans said he has talked with Lanier Boatright of Three Rivers Regional Commission about the city's options for annexation. Boatright suggested the city get new land use maps done -- a service provided by Three Rivers. He also recommended examining how land just outside the city is zoned to see if the permitted uses inside and outside the city are compatible.

• The council held the first reading of its ordinance on property cleanup. If the ordinance is approved next month, it would authorize Evans to notify property owners when there is a nuisance. City Attorney Mark Mitchell described a process of letters, appeals and responses that could end with the city having the property cleaned. "Any expenses would be placed as a lien on the property," Mitchell explained.

The ordinance seeks to eliminate accumulated trash, overgrown vegetation and abandoned or junked vehicles.

• The council talked about rumors that some Moreland residents are letting people from outside the town bring garbage into the city and put it with their trash for pickup. It was generally agreed that such a problem could be addressed by a letter to the resident.

• The council agreed to meet Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. to talk about the budget for the coming year.

• Evans updated the council on a town Internet Web site. A class at Central Educational Center in Newnan is working on the project. The mayor's mother, Joyce Evans, took photographs at the meeting for the Web site.

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