Idea’s Group ‘phasing out,’ seeks new volunteers to help move Carter County forward

Published 3:20 pm Friday, September 30, 2022

Elizabethton’s Ideas Group will be “phasing out” in the near future, a phrase used by the group’s member, Danny Ward.

The group, that started in 2018, consists of board members Chris Little, Danny Ward, Karen Hitchcock, and Juanita McKinney. The four have worked tirelessly over the past four years to think up and complete projects within Carter County that, as McKinney puts it, answer the question, “What can be done to make [things] better for the county?”

The group itself is comprised of two divisions — Surf Betsy and G.O. B.E.T.S.Y. (Giving to Organizations for Beautification, Environment, Tourism, and Sustainability Yearly). While Surf Betsy is still moving forward with plans to complete its next project, a whitewater rafting park, G.O. B.E.T.S.Y. has a much different future in sight.

Little says the division was formed to focus on two major projects to enhance Carter County — improving the Covered Bridge Park and completing work on a new boat ramp on the Watauga River under the Highway 400 Bridge. Little says the group has “done what we’ve planned to do,” and much more. In addition to the two projects, the group has successfully implemented many other visions for the betterment of Carter County’s future including building a new park and cleaning up an overgrown cemetery that had long been neglected.

With Metin Eryasa heading Surf Betsy, Little, Ward, Hitchcock, and McKinney say they are ready to take a step back and “take a break” from all the work they have accomplished over the years.

“We have accomplished a lot for four people,” Little said, further explaining that there are still some smaller projects that have to be completed, but between scheduling conflicts and some rising health concerns, they do not see themselves spearheading any new, major projects going forward.

With the change, Little emphasized that the group was not dissolving, and he hopes other community members will become involved as they get ready to “hand the torch off.”

In spite of all the improvements the group has been a part of, Ward says the most important thing they accomplished was showing people the power of change community members can make within their own society. “More people need to get involved in their community in order to make Carter County a better place to live … and we have set that example that it can be done as long as you work together.”