New board heads chamber

A full slate of directors and executive will represent business interests along the southwest coast.

The Port aux Basques and Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting and election of officers on Wednesday.

Andrew Parsons (Marks and Parsons Law Office) accepted the role of president from departing leader Terry Anderson (Irving Mainway), who will remain on the board as past-president.

Other executive members include: Cathy Lomond, Hotel Port aux Basques, first vice-president; Bill Bailey, Paint Shop, second vice-president; Mandy Ryan, The Gulf News, secretary; and Shawn Leamon, Marine Atlantic, treasurer.

Directors include Roger Hardy (Codroy Valley Credit Union), Wally Habib (Louis Gee's Pizza and Donairs), Kelly Tompkins (Starboard Woodcraft), Rodney Blackmore (Modern Home Improvements), Elsie Coleman (Terry's Ultramar) and Wayne Green (Newfoundland Power).

All members were elected by acclamation.

Mr. Parsons said he was initially reluctant to take on the responsibility of the president's role, but the strength of the new board made the decision easier. He said the board members are a good mix of new blood and returning members, and they represent a wide spread of business interests.

"That is what you need for good representation," said Mr. Parsons.

Mr. Parsons said the new board will continue on with many of the initiatives started over the last few years, such as the business expo and Small Business Week activities, but will also look for new ways to get local businesses more involved in the chamber.

He said the chamber may need to go to the businesspeople to get their ideas, if the business owners don't make time to come out to different chamber events.

The new board was set to meet for the first time on Friday. A date for the next general chamber meeting has not yet been set but will likely be before Christmas.

The next two major chamber initiatives are the Christmas Tree Lighting and the White Lights campaign.

nmusseau@gulfnews.ca