Chamber of Commerce News: New 2007 Officers Elected, Lucky Ross Now President

Central Chamber News

New 2007 Officers Elected,

Lucky Ross Now President

By Dr. Tony LoBue, Immediate Past President

City of Central Chamber of Commerce

Many thanks to Board Members, Chamber Members and the entire Central Community for allowing me to serve as President of the Central Chamber of Commerce for the past two years.

The Chamber Board recently elected a new slate of officers for 2007. Your new officers are:

· P resident - Lucky Ross (Ross Tire & Service)

· Vice President - John Green (Keller Williams Real Estate)

· Treasurer - Claude Derbes (Central Drug)

· Secretary - Aaron Moak (Computer Evolution / Cingular)

With our newly formed city and Central Community School District we have what it takes to make this community the best in the region in the years ahead. The voice of the Central Chamber now serves some 250 members in a 66-square-mile area.

Exciting things are happening every day in Central. The Central Chamber has partnered with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber to be part of a nine-parish metropolitan area. This partnership is looking at recruitment, retention and expansion of economic driver industries within a nine-parish region. Also, the City of Central, through Mayor Shelton Watts’ leadership, has received a grant that will initiate a community assistance program with a team of architects and other professional planners to assist with the creation of a Master Plan for our new city.

We all know that good schools are the foundation for the businesses that are already here. We also know good schools are vital for bringing new business and industry to our community. It is predicted that Central will soon have one of the top five school districts in the state. In order to start this school year we need the community’s help.

The Cookin’ for Our Kids event will take place on April 27^th and 28^th. It begins Friday night with food and entertainment. Saturday will be an all-day event that includes a cook off, $10 plate lunches, live auction, silent auction, a $10,000 raffle and entertainment. Both events will be held near the corner of Hooper and Sullivan Roads. All proceeds will go to the Central Community School District. Our goal is $300,000. If you would like to help sponsor or make any donation for our schools, please make checks payable to Central High Alumni Association & Friends and mail them to P.O. Box 15342, Baton Rouge, LA 70895.

Great opportunities and growth are present everywhere in the Central area! I am very excited to be a part of an area that is in an economic expansion and to be a part of a Chamber that is dedicated to the growth of business in our area.

As always, remember to “Shop Central First” so your tax dollars stop here and work for the betterment of our community. I would like to invite all City of Central business owners and / or potential associate members to become a part of the Chamber by calling 261-5818.

The following businesses are the newest members to the Central Chamber of Commerce:

· The Great American Chop House - Harold Marten (regional manager), Natasha Czarniak (general manager), 6643 Sullivan Rd, Greenwell Springs, LA 70739, 262-0036.

· Callihan Law Firm - Gregory Callihan, 13121 Hooper Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70818, Phone: 261-6929, Fax: 261-6930, callihan@callihanlaw.

· Gulf Coast Office Products - Trey Beall, owner, and Kenny Wall, 10424 Plaze Americana Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70816, Phone: 756-2644, Fax 756-4795, kwall@gcopnet.com.

· Sonja Peterson, Associate Member, 14822 Brown Rd, Baker, LA 70714, Phone: 261-4625, Fax: 262-3288, pete5411@bellsouth.net.

· Performance Real Estate Group, Inc. - Brandon Dodson, Rusty Stafford, 3655 O’Neal Ln., Suite 6, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, Phone: 756-0885, Fax: 756-0196, Amy_Reynolds@bellsouth.net.

· Office Direct - Pam/Danny Spencer owners, Wyn Spencer/Sales, 14020 Plank Rd, Baker, LA 70714, Phone: 774-8773, Fax: 774-9824, sales@buyofficedirect.com.

· Wanetiri Lakes, LLC - Betsy Otken Barnes Marketing Director, Phone: 261-4430, wanetirilakes@yahoo.com.

· Bellissimo Hair Salon - Holly Greely, owner, 18564 Magnolia Bridge Rd. Suite 105, Greenwell Springs, LA 70739, Phone- 261-8983.

· Capital Financial Group - Ian James, owner, 14409 Wax Rd. Suite F, Baton Rouge, LA 70818, Phone: 261-9606, Fax: 261-9638, ian.james@lpl.com.

· Edward Jones - Aaron J. Stanford, Financial Advisor, 14465 Wax Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70818, Phone: 261-9662, Fax: 888-833-6442, aaron.stanford@edwardjones.com.

· Edward Jones - Amanda Minchew, Financial Advisor, 14415-G Greenwell Springs Rd., Greenwell Springs, LA 70739, Phone: 261-8262, Fax: 866-262-9635, mandi.minchew@edwardjones.com.

· GM Cable - Gil and Michelle Matherne, 9332 Joor Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70818

Phone: 261-9800, Fax: 261.9884, michelle@gmcable.com.

· Myco-Com, Inc. - Michelle Matherne, 9332 Joor Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70818

Phone: 261-9800, 261-9884, michelle@mycocom.com.