Small City Works To Enhance Visual Image

City leaders hope a study that is under way now will set the tone for private development in Kingsport for the next 20 years.The information is drawn from "visual preference" surveys and focus groups in which more than 1,000 residents participated.Dr. Kathleen Beine, former president of Kingsport's Neighborhood Council, spearheaded the effort."The whole reason I began this in 1998 was as a gift to the community," she said, adding that the idea was to build upon and enhance what the community already had in place."I care a lot about Kingsport and the vitality of the community - for the business people in addition to the desirability of the community as a place people want to live," she said."Appearances do count. You have to look at what can distinguish you."