MATHIS Washington Mayor Willie Burns will host the annual conference of the Georgia Conference of Black Mayors, Inc. here later this month.

The conference, set for October 19-21 at The Fitzpatrick Hotel, will focus on developing new ideas on building strong communities, Burns said. "We will be discussing issues that affect our communities, the strategies and solutions will result in a template for economic empowerment."

Burns is president of the Georgia Conference of Black Mayors.

Some 31 of the state's 45 black mayors are scheduled to attend, along with spouses, staff members, and other Georgia leaders, including Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, trial lawyer Charles A. Mathis, and Felicia Moore, president of the Georgia Black Caucus of Local Black Elected Officials.

Senator Jim Whitehead, Rep. Mickey Channell, and other state leaders are expected to attend, along with Washington civic leaders and officials.

The conference will kick off Thursday night with a free public concert by singer and actress Melba Moore on The Square. "I want people to come out and enjoy the concert," Burns said. "Melba Moore is a renowned entertainer, and she's going to give a great concert."

Highlights of the convention include grant-writing workshops, plenary sessions on collaboration, roundtable discussions on local initiatives on governing, and discussions of health care issues and solutions.

A reception and barbecue are planned at the Washington-Wilkes Country Club, and tours of Washington and Wilkes County are planned for the mayors' spouses. Guests will also have special times for shopping on The Square.

Conference attendees have already filled The Fitzpatrick Hotel, and Burns said that they were also booking rooms at the Jameson Inn, and at bed and breakfast inns in town.

The conference has received corporate sponsorship from CH2MHill and SIEU, the service workers trade union.