Annual chamber banquet set for Thursday

Blues, brisket and the “State of the City” address.

This year’s annual Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce banquet features all three, and chamber board President Chris Wood said he hopes to have a new executive director to introduce then. He said the chamber is still in the hiring process for someone to replace outgoing director Sharon King.

The event also includes speeches by the past and current chamber board presidents and presentations of several awards.

“It’s a wrap-up of what we did the year before,” said past president Wanda Graham.

The event is open to the public.

At the banquet, which has the theme “A Celebration of 2010,” King, also the mayor, is scheduled to give a “State of the City” address. King said she would cover the Ute Water Project, growth at Cannon Air Force Base and Eastern New Mexico University, and new housing development.

“I think that’s pretty exciting to see what our growth is there (in housing),” King said.

PVille Blues Band, a local group, is to provide entertainment, and Mark’s Restaurant is catering a meal of brisket, barbecue sausage and side dishes.

The awards to be given include Workhorse of the Year for a community volunteer, Ambassador of the Year for a member of the chamber’s Ambassador program, the Harley and Faye Borden Award for businesses that have improved their buildings’ exteriors and the Warm Heart of the Sunbelt Award. The awards are given out each year, except for the Warm Heart of the Sunbelt Award.

Graham said the chamber gives out that honor only on years when someone is especially deserving.

“It’s a special recognition for their extra hard work to build the community,” she said.

Graham said identities of award winners won’t be revealed until the banquet.

In his speech, Woods said his presentation would cover goals and priorities for this year, while Graham said she plans to go over last year’s accomplishments.

“We’re going to have a great time,” Graham said. “Come join us.”