Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce Updates Progress, Sets Date for Banquet
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – The Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce held its monthly mid-morning coffee get-together Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Crockett Civic Center with a large group of local businesspeople and city leaders.
Chamber Executive Director Liza Clark told the group she was excited about new members of their board and a new chamber member, Davy C’s Pizzeria. Clark touted the chamber’s more than 50,000 visitors each month to their webpage and the more than 30 ribbon cuttings held the last year. The chamber now has 237 members. Clark invited chamber members to their annual gala dinner which will be held this year Tuesday, March 31.
Piney Woods Fine Arts Association Executive Director Ann Walker told the group about the upcoming concerts, with one still to be announced for April pending negotiations. She said the group will again hold their “Concerts in the Park” series this coming June in Davy Crockett Park with four shows that month including the always popular tribute bands playing the music of the 60’s and 70’s.
City of Crockett Community Liaison Rebeca Huffman asked for the group’s support in writing letters on behalf of the city in order to become a member of the Main Street City Program. You can read more about that in today’s edition.
Jeremiah Silsby from Davy C’s Pizzeria thanked the chamber for their support and told attendees he is trying to organize a blues music fair possibly in April and asked for any support he could get to bring some classic blues music to Crockett.
Workforce Solutions announced they will be holding a job fair in Houston County February 23. The Messenger will have full coverage of this event in an upcoming edition.
Maria Rodriguez announced her coming retirement from the East Texas Family Crisis Center. Rodriguez has long advocated and worked to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. She reminded the group January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Rodriguez smiled at the surprise from the group regarding her March 31 retirement – but Rodriguez said it was time for new leadership since she will turn 70 this year and has been working in this field for over 30 years.
Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher thanked the chamber for their work and told the group how proud she was of the new businesses opening in the city and a new excitement in the air. She said no one could say there is nothing to do in Crockett since there exist now so many options for almost everyone. She said she could not remember the city every having so many activities.
Fisher said the work of fixing roads and buildings can be a slow one and the city must make sure work is done right. She told the group if they need help they should come to city hall and talk about their needs and these will always be addressed quickly. She invited the group to come back to the Crockett Civic Center for a brief ceremony where January 21, 2023 will be declared Ja’Gared Davis Day in the city of Crockett to honor the former Bulldog who now plays for the Canadian National Football League. Davis was the Grand Marshal at the recent Martin Luther King Day parade.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]