New Chamber Has 1st Parishwide Meeting

Central Playing Key Role in New Chamber of Commerce

BATON ROUGE — The new Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish held its first monthly Membership Meeting Tuesday, and more than 70 small business owners from across the parish showed up for the event at Café Américain on Jefferson Highway.

Central business owners are playing a key role in the parishwide group, which will lobby the Metro Council, state legislature, and Congress for free market,  pro-business solutions to problems.

Central connections in attendance included Hank Henagan, who founded CABA, the Central Area Business Association, in the 1980’s; Dr. Tony LoBue, former President of the Central Chamber; realtor Jr. Shelton; Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Washington; school board members and business owners Roxanne Atkinson and Will Easley; Central Alliance chairman Harry Rauls; Bob Burns of RAB Enterprises; Judy LoBue of Judy’s Heavenly Hair and her daughter Rae Ann.  Burns is vice chairman for membership of the Chamber.

Former Central Chamber president Bob Breaux is Executive Director of the new Chamber, and Central City News editor Woody Jenkins is chairman.

Candidates present at the meeting included Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Walker and businessman John Conroy, both running for Mayor-President; Metro Council candidate Buddy Amoroso; Supreme Court candidate Judge Toni Higginbotham, and Appeals Judge Mike McDonald, who is seeking reelection.

For information on the new Chamber, go to www.ChamberEBR.com or “Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish” on Facebook.  Or call Bob Breaux at 279-6008.  Dues are $150 a year for all members.  The organization is membership-driven, rather than staff-directed, and all work for the organization is done by volunteers.