SelectPlusWater War: Dry Up Tourism to Relieve Drought?Water War: Dry Up Tourism to Relieve Drought?The Associated PressA proposal to shift the Georgia/Tennessee line might be a drought-buster for Atlanta, but it threatens to dry up the flow of tourism dollars into one small multi-state community. AP correspondent Jason Bronis has more on the drought's impact. (June 3)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] ((SUPER: McCAYSVILLE, Ga.))((VO of train approaching station.))WHEN THE BLUE RIDGE SCENIC RAILWAY TRAIN ROUNDS THE BEND ...((NATS))Something train related.((TRACK))((VO of town, train, people walking from train, painted line.))THIS QUIET MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COMES TO LIFE.HUNDREDS OF TOURISTS POUR FROM THE TRAIN ONTO THE STREETS AND INTO THE SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS.BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT DRAWS THEM HERE - THE BLUE LINE RUNNING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE CENTER OF TOWN.((SOT))((SUPER: Ron Huster/Railway Volunteer)) "One of the mandatory stops is to put one foot on either side of the line and say, 'Hey, get my picture made right here.'"((TRACK))((VO of painted line, Georgia sign, Tennessee state sign.))IT'S THE STATE LINE.ON ONE SIDE, YOU'RE IN MC-CAYSVILLE, GEORGIA.ON THE OTHER, YOU'RE IN COPPERHILL, TENNESSEE.((SOT))((NO SUPER))"Two city councils, two mayors ..."((TRACK))((VO of store, area codes on signs, man at table.))TWO SALES TAX RATES.TWO AREA CODES.CHARLES HARPER WAS BORN IN MC-CAYSVILLE.NOW HE LIVES IN COPPERHILL - BUT JUST BARELY.((SOT))((SUPER: Charles Harper/Resident))"It runs right through my front yard. I said if the better half gets after me with a broom I'll just jump across the line."((TRACK))((VO of tourists walking streets, painted line, Tennessee sign, bridge to stream.))BUT THE ONE-LINERS, THE LINES OF TOURISTS, EVEN THE BLUE LINE ITSELF COULD BE IN JEOPARDY.GEORGIA STATE LAWMAKERS SAY IT'S ALL A BIG MISTAKE - DATING BACK TO A 19-TH CENTURY SURVEY.NOW, THEY'RE FIGHTING TO SHIFT THE LINE NORTH, TAP IN TO TENNESSEE'S WATER SUPPLY, AND POTENTIALLY EASE GEORGIA'S EPIC DROUGHT.((SOT))((NO SUPER))"My business is based on 'I walk the line,' so if they move the line, it would just devastate us."((TRACK))((VO of exterior of store, souvenirs))SHELLEY HANCOCK'S STORE, STOCKS 'I WALKED THE LINE' SOUVENIRS JUST A FEW YARDS FROM THE LINE ITSELF.((SOT))((SUPER: Shelly Hancock/Business Owner))"Most people don't want to discuss it. When you say you've heard something, they say, 'I don't want to hear about moving the line.'"((SOT))"My first reaction is what a waste of time."((TRACK))((VO of interior of restaurant, sign, restrooms.))AT PATRICK'S PUB AND GRILL, THE STATE LINE SPLITS THE BAR FROM THE RESTROOMS.((SOT))((NO SUPER))"You drink in Tennessee and you put it in Georgia."((TRACK))((VO of bar interior, sign outside bar.))BUT, MC-CAYSVILLE SITS IN A COUNTY WHERE ALCOHOL SALES ARE BANNED.MOVING THE STATE LINE WOULD PUT PATRICK'S OUT OF BUSINESS.((SOT))((SUPER: Patrick White/Bar Owner))"I chuckled and thought it's a joke, but apparently it's not a joke."((TRACK))((VO of man at table, state line.))THAT LEAVES MANY HERE WONDERING WHY THE STATES CAN'T AGREE TO SHARE THE PRECIOUS RESOURCE, WITHOUT RE-DRAWING THE MAP.((SOT))((Harper))"If we've got a need, share and make it work with each other. That is neighborly. That is real friendship. That is love and the whole combination in one nutshell."((TRACK))((VO of man walking along state line.))MAKING SURE YOU CAN ALWAYS COME HERE TO WALK THE LINE.JB, THE A-P, ON THE GEORGIA - TENNESSEE BORDER. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE: JBronis-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: JBronis------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: AP--------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: KWhite------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: N/A----------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: AP------------------------------------

• published: 03 Jun 2008
• views: 4386