their eyes and ears to this corner of the state

By

Ben Hillyer

The Natchez Democrat

Legislators from Mississippi got their eyes tested this week in Southwest Mississippi.

It wasn’t their vision that was the problem more than it was the amount of things they had to see in three short days.

In a whirlwind tour of the area, a group of eight House members and four senators took in the sights of Jackson, Vicksburg, Port Gibson and Natchez. Committee members focused on state tourism, the legislators familiarized themselves with everything the area has to offer and everything the area can be.

For some, trying to see everything was enough to make their eyes hurt.

&uot;My eyeballs are tired,&uot; state Rep. Randall Patterson, D-Biloxi, said Thursday night after finally sitting down in the courtyard of Monmouth Plantation for a relaxed evening in Natchez.

For Craig Ray, director of tourism with the Mississippi Development Authority, it was a good tired the legislators were feeling Thursday night.

&uot;There is a lot this area has to offer,&uot; Ray said. &uot;Many of the legislators have never been to this area.

&uot;This is great opportunity to show them the product they represent,&uot; Ray said.

Rep. Diane Peranich, D-Pass Christian, chairperson of the new House subcommittee on tourism, couldn’t agree more.

&uot;I had never been to Grand Gulf Military Park in Port Gibson before,&uot; Peranich said. &uot;I had only seen brochures.&uot;

It wasn’t until the group stopped in the park and saw first hand what there was to offer that Peranich and others decided they could help.

Relocated to a pond at the military park is an old water mill that operated in the area.

Since its construction, the pond has become overgrown with algae and other plants. As a result, the wheel remains idle and the sound of running water has ceased.

For Peranich seeing the mill first-hand was enough for her to decide to help out.

&uot;I will make sure that pond is cleaned and that the water mill is running,&uot; Peranich said Thursday.

That is exactly the kind of news tourism officials want to hear and hope to hear when traveling on these trips through Mississippi.

&uot;We want open up a dialogue,&uot; Ray said. &uot;This is a great opportunity to establish a network with local leaders and business owner.

&uot;It educates our members in what the needs are.&uot;

After a night of fine dining at Dunleith and a good night’s sleep in Natchez’s finest bed and breakfasts, legislators boarded the bus Friday to educate themselves about Natchez.

From the newly opened William Johnson House to the Natchez Convention Center, from a first hand look at the bluff stabilization project to a quick tour of Longwood, legislators took in all they could in two hours Friday morning before heading back to Jackson a little more educated about the area and its offerings.

&uot;I have had my eyes opened,&uot; Peranich said.