By James Bolen

The South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on Friday, Feb. 22, with approximately 230 attendees.

Now in its 24th year, the event was attended by area business leaders, along with several local elected officials. This year's theme was, "A Salute to the 147th Fighter Wing" and was also attended by several members of the Texas Air National Guard.

Guardsman and chamber member Dr. B.J. Garner introduced 147th Wing Commander Lanny McNeely, who spoke on the unit's history. McNeely noted that the 111th Fighter Squadron, the 147th's predecessor, recently celebrated its 90th anniversary and discussed current missions being performed at Ellington Field, including the operation of unmanned drones. A video montage of the fighter wing was also shown.

Outgoing chamber president George Valtasaros was presented an outstanding achievement award by U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson. Valtasaros was also presented a framed photo of Ellis Island, where the local business owner's mother had immigrated years earlier, by current state representative and U.S. Congressional District 22 hopeful Robert Talton.

Other local politicians attending the event included Houston City Councilman Mike Sullivan and Harris County Justices of the Peace Jo Ann Delgado and George Risner.

Valtasaros presented the Citizen of the Year award to Dr. Dixie Melillo, the founder of the nonprofit organization The Rose. Begun in 1986, The Rose makes mammography available to any woman regardless of her ability to pay.

It is the leading organization of its kind in the Houston area and one of the most successful in the country.

Judge George Risner swore in the 2008 chamber of commerce officers and board of directors. Officers include Marie Flickinger, president; Chris Clark, first vice president; Brian Wasson, second vice president; Jacquelyn Wiess, third vice president; Maureen Murphy, secretary; and the Rev. Gordon Berg, treasurer.

The 2008 board of directors are Mary Campbell-Fox, Terry Felton, B.J. Garner, Roseanne Kerr, Janice Laird, Eli Tanksley, Sandra Yandell, Jerry Dubose, the Rev. Emory Gadd, George Gaston, Elaine Munoz, Sheryn Nguyen and George Valtasaros.

Flickinger, also the publisher of the South Belt-Ellington Leader, introduced Sally Mitchell, the chamber's new executive director, and spoke on the need for an area Tax In-crement Reinvestment Zone.

A TIRZ is a special district created by Houston City Council to attract new investment to an area. TIRZs help finance the cost of redeveloping or encouraging infill development in an area that would otherwise not attract sufficient market development in a timely manner. Taxes attributable to new improvements (tax increment) are set aside in a fund to finance public improvements in the zone.

The evening concluded with dancing to the patriotic music of the Bobby Croft Trio.