More than 150 people filled the Bruce Museum Thursday night to honor local economic development efforts, salute volunteerism, hear an informative speech and experience the Blues at the annual CEDA Banquet.
Rose Wells, Mayor Rudy Pope
Local Bluesman Leo “Bud” Welch entertained the crowd with several songs before and during the banquet with Dixie Street accompanying him on drums and his son Leo Welch Jr. on bass.
The first awards of the night were presented by the mayors of Bruce, Calhoun City, Derma and Vardaman honoring community servants in their respective towns.
Bruce Mayor Rudy Pope honored Rose Wells, founder and executive director of the new Dog Lovers’ League No-Kill Shelter in Bruce.
Calhoun City Mayor J.R. Denton recognized Chodie Myers, a past mayor of Calhoun City who now serves as county engineer, for his community service and economic development efforts for the town. Myers was unable to attend the banquet due to health reasons, so alderwoman Barbara Goodson accepted the honor on his behalf.
Barbara Goodson, Mayor J.R. Denton
Derma Mayor Dock Gabbert recognized Linda Jane Ramage saying she has always been willing to help a neighbor with anything needed.
Vardaman Mayor James Casey recognized Jim and Maxine Blue who are active in beautification efforts around Vardaman, oversee the community center and are among the leaders in organizing the Sweet Potato Festival every year. The Blues were unable to attend the event.
CEDA Director Shelia Freely recognized industrial leaders in the county’s three largest towns for their improvements over the past year.
Linda Jane Ramage, Mayor Dock Gabbert
Haworth in Bruce, Calhoun Health Services in Calhoun City and Furniture Wood in Vardaman were all honored.
Randy Kelley, executive director of Three Rivers Planning and Development, gave the keynote speech focusing on the tuition guarantee program in the county that provides two years of community college to all students at no cost.
Kelley explained there are two-year technical degrees now available that industries such as Yokohama, Toyota and all the industries in Calhoun County are in dire need of and most of those jobs start out earning close to $50,000 a year.
Kelley urged county leaders and supporters to do more to promote the tuition free program and make certain local high school students know of its availability and take advantage of it.
