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Chamber welcomes new board members
By Connie Beard
Published October 29, 2009
Two new board members were welcomed at the monthly meeting of the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce Tuesday.
Jose Beltran, of TaMolly’s Restaurant, and Joan Mathis, an English instructor at Paris Junior College, joined the current members to fill out the board. They replace retiring members Tammy Huffman and Aaron Jenkins.
There have been approximately 40 applicants for the vacant executive director’s position at the chamber. Jon Landers, vice president of finance for the chamber, who is also chairman of the search committee, said the committee will be completing phone interviews with prospective applicants this week.
Although prevented by illness from attending, Chamber Chairman Kenny Dority presented several ideas for the board to pursue through an e-mail message read at the meeting. Those ideas included a young executive mixer to provide an opportunity for young executives to meet. A tentative date for this mixer has been set for March. He also is planning an ex-chairman luncheon, to reach out and utilize the wisdom of past board chairmen.
The Agriculture Committee is currently consigning bulls in preparation for the upcoming annual Bull Sale, set for Tuesday, Dec. 1. The committee is still taking applications from high school seniors enrolled in the agriculture departments in area schools. The bull sale raises funds for scholarships to assist students in furthering their education.
The Festival of Pumpkins was declared successful, with a large crowd attending the annual event. Local merchants reported record sales and new businesses in the downtown area received good exposure. Pike Burkhart, Sr. stated the festival broke even.
Chamber director Mindy Moree, in a report for the Paris Visitors and Convention Council, said preparations for Holiday in Paris are well under way and the event is getting larger each year. A trolley has been rented and will be used during the festivities. Holiday in Paris is set for the first two weekends in December.
She also reported there were double the number of square dancers for the convention this year, and the group has signed a contract to return to Paris in 2010.
Ronny Bolton told those present J&L Paving fixed the holes in the parking lot at Love Civic Center.
Keep Paris Beautiful, Make Lamar County Shine held a successful Trash Off Saturday, Oct. 10. Moree stated there was plenty of manpower even though it was a cold day.
Burkhart reported the Governmental Affairs Committee met with the chamber’s executive board, City Manager Kevin Carruth, several members of the Paris City Council and the county judge to continue developing a strategic plan for the community. The group will be contacting local industry to possibly incorporate their existing plans.
Members of the Transportation Committee plan to attend the Texas 24 dedication set for 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. The ceremony will be held at the entrance to Cooper.
“We will officially dedicate that section and pray for the next section,” Burkhart said.
Dr. Pam Anglin is working on changes to the chambers by-laws. In addition to cleaning up wording, the new bylaws are needed due to the formal separation of the chamber with the Paris Economic Development Corporation. Anglin plans to bring a marked up version to the board at its next meeting, set for Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Members were invited to a Trail de Paris appreciation ceremony, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall, and state Rep. Mark Homer, D-Paris, are scheduled to be present at the event, which will take place in the Love Civic Center Pavilion.
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