First “Power Lunch” for Chamber is Success

By Sid Riley

Chamber President Jamie Streetman struggled for a theme for the Community Appreciation

Power Lunch programs which are being launched as a means to reach out to outlying towns in the county. He finally decided on “Unite for Success”. His purpose for these meetings is to bring community leaders and citizens together to discuss and learn what makes our towns a great place to live, work, and play.

The first meeting in this series was held at the Bascom City Hall, and was held in recognition of Bascom, Greenwood, and Malone. The luncheon event was sponsored by Government Services Group, a Tallahassee based consulting organization which helps communities with sewer and water system development programs.

Streetman began by recognizing Ann Bryan, Mayor of Bascom, and Charles Sanders, Mayor of Greenwood. The Mayor of Malone was not present because of a conflict. Also, Streetman recognized several past and present educators who were present, a representative from Brad Drake’s office, and Ted Lakey, Jackson County Manager. The featured speaker was the well known News Director and Senior Anchor for Channel 7 WJHG TV in Panama City, Tom Lewis.

Sipping from a huge FSU drinking cup to soothe a throat suffering from laryngitis, Lewis described how he had begun a career in TV at Channel 7 after leaving college, then after several years he left the industry and moved to Miami to work in Medical Sales. “I soon realized big city life was not for me. Two hour commutes to cover eighteen miles, and living in constant fear of criminal activity for our family, soon became something I wanted to get out of,” Lewis explained. “So I returned home. Panama City had grown and changed, but it was still home….and I was much happier. I found that some things were more important than money and living in the fast track. I worked my way up through the organization, and finally became News Director.”

Lewis then described the importance of communities working together to create jobs and an offering for outside industries which will enable their children and grand children to live and survive where they were raised. “Each community is unique, and has its own special features which can be used to promote locating there. For example, how many communities in North Florida can boast being the home town of an academy award winning actress? Well, Bascom can,” he exclaimed. “You have natural resources, open space, farm products, and a ready labor force. All of these are assets which can be utilized to create a healthy environment for your future.”

The next community meeting will be held in Sneads on October 15 at the West Florida Electric Facility, It will honor the communities of Sneads and Grand Ridge. Then the October the third Power Lunch will be held at the “Gathering Place” in Graceville, honoring Graceville, Jacob, and Campbellton.