The 33rd Annual Baytown Busi-ness Expo was once again a huge success with hundreds of visitors coming out to learn more about Baytown business. The event was themed “Tackle All Your Business Needs” at the Baytown Business Expo and what a fun day we had. This

year’s BEST BOOTH went to

Caliber Collision. The runner up was The Waterford at Bay-town. The Most Valuable Booth award was given to the exhibi-tor that most defined the theme of the event. It was presented to Shine Dental with the run-ner-up being Bayou City Wings. Judges included Mayor Steve DonCarlos, Gilbert Santana and

Holly Jackson.

Many of the exhibitors util-ized the theme with others sticking to a business theme. Valuable business contacts were made throughout the day be-tween exhibitors as well as visi-

tors and exhibitors. All in at-tendance seemed to enjoy the festival atmosphere with many door prizes, give-aways, games and prizes. The grand prize drawing included all the atten-dees who took the time to visit each and every booth. Once their card was filled, they were eligible for the grand prize of a $500 Visa Gift Card. Grand prize sponsors included Exxon-Mobil, Karla Opryshek-Coldwell Banker United, Baytown GMC-Buick, SNC Lavalin and Com-munity Resource Credit Union. The grand prize drawing was held at the end of the day and the winner was Melba Hamilton

with St. James House.

A big “thank you” to our presenting sponsor Houston

Methodist San Jacinto Hospital.

EXPO! EXPO! EXPO!

Public Safety Recognition –November 10th

The Baytown Chamber is excited to announce the 23rd Annual Public Safety Recognition Luncheon. The event honors our local heroes for their outstanding service to our community. Now more than ever before, we need to come together to show our appreciation and sup-port to our local police officers, fire fighters and emergency medical service technicians. This should also be a time for us to come together as a community to celebrate the

freedom and safety we enjoy every day. The highlight of the luncheon is honoring the nominees of each department and the presentation of the Public Safety Award of Excel-lence to the Police Officer of the Year and Fire Fighter/ Paramedic of

the Year.

The luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 11:00 to 1:00 at the Baytown Community Center, 2407 Market St. Sponsor-

ships are still needed as all public safety personnel are invited. Our presenting sponsor is Beacon Fed-

eral Credit Union.

October 2015 Volume 54, Issue 1

Chamber Advocate

Inside this Edition

• Baytown Business EXPO

2015

• New Members

• Ribbon Cuttings

• Surprise Patrol

• Public Safety Recognition

• Epicurean Evening

• Business After Hours

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BAYTOWN CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE

CHAMBER ADVOCATE

A PUBLICATION OF

THE

BAYTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Amegy Bank Tower 1300 Rollingbrook

Suite 400 Baytown, TX 77521

281/422-8359

E-mail info@baytownchamber.com

Join us on the web

Baytownchamber.com

Or on Facebook

Editor/Publisher Tracey S. Wheeler

IOM

Surprise Patrol

We’ve Been Cutting Ribbons

NETWORKING WITH CHAMBER MEMBERS

“Consumers who

are told that a

business is a

chamber member

are 51% more likely

to be highly aware

of it and 57% more

likely to think

positively of its local

reputation.”

Page 2 Chamber Advocate

Boot Barn Edible Arrangements

Southland Title

The Surprise Patrol made up of Board mem-bers and Ambassadors recently set out to “surprise” some dedi-cated members for their continued commitment to the Chamber. Boot Barn, Southland Title and Edible Arrangements were chosen for the September visits with balloons and cookies and

lots of thank yous!! Keep an eye out for the “Surprise Patrol” - you never know when your business might get unex-

pected visitors.

Damsel in Defense www.maharandcompany.com

832/262-1512

Caliber Collision, Center 4116 East Freeway

Raw Truth Living www.rawtruthliving.com

Things You Buy

“You don’t buy a newspa-

per .. You buy news.”

“You don’t buy life insurance..

You buy security for others.”

“You don’t buy glasses.. You

buy vision.”

“You don’t buy awnings.. You

buy shade.”

“and you don’t buy member-

ship in your Chamber.. You buy the cooperation of the ablest men and women in business with whom you join hands to do those things

which you cannot do alone.

Access Athletics Michael Reed 832/556-9209 2 Ashleyville Rd., Suite 1 Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Staff Altus Cancer Center Sourabh Sanduja 281/231-7600 1626 W. Baker Rd. Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Sourabh Sanduja Altus Women's Center Sourabh Sanduja 281/231-7600 1626 W. Baker Rd. Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Sourabh Sanduja Congressman Brian Babin (36th District of Texas) 832/780-0966 203 Ivy Ave., Suite 600 Deer Park, TX 77536 Sponsor: Tracey Wheeler The Bay Area NAACP Nikki Brooks 832/464-7966 P.O. Box 163 Baytown, TX 77522 Sponsor: Tracey Wheeler BAYCRETE Jonathan Groves 832/695-2517 4318 N. Hwy 146 Baytown, TX 77520 Sponsor: Reggie Brewer Baytown's Historic Cafe Holly Morris 713/540-6772 3321 Market St.(Baytown77520) Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Staff Terri Boyko, REALTOR Terri Boyko 281/389-8841 Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Tina Martinez Caliber Collision Darren McCrory 281/421-1349 4116 East Freeway Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Staff Carlile Building Maintenance Inc. Sue Carlile 713/582-4963 P.O. Box 1777 Deer Park, TX 77536 Sponsor: Carol Bell

Cease Addiction Now, Inc. John Havenar 281/427-4226 401 W. Texas Ave. Baytown, TX 77520 Sponsor: Christine Hanson Challenge Office Products John Barbosa 713/644-4007 6015 South Loop East Houston, TX 77033 Sponsor: Joseph Villalba Chick-fil-A Chambers Town Center Brad Nichols 281/573-4573 8738 N. Highway 146 Baytown, TX 77523 Sponsor: Tina Martinez CruiseOne 281/860-2038 Monquena Wilson Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Staff Damsel In Defense Christy Mahar 832/262-1512 Beach City, TX 77523 Sponsor: Staff Douglass Media Group Addie Girouard 713/371-3500 2601 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 Sponsor: Karla Opryshek Sherman Eagleton 281/628-3591 Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Tracey Wheeler Ernie's Catering Ernie Zardeneta 281/594-0135 1860 E. Sam Houston Parkway

South Houston, TX 77503 Sponsor: Donna Woolsey Kenco Bucket Trucks Kenny & Myna Mungle 281/459-4120 5901 Bayway Drive Baytown, TX 77520 Sponsor: Staff Learner Dynamics Joan Ikes 713/591-4958 1210 Walker Rd. Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Jacqueline Whitaker

Memorial Hermann Prevention &

Recovery Center Amber Johnson 713/939-7272 3722 North Main Street, Ste 100 Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Staff Mike & Annie's Cleaning Service Mike & Annie Soileau 281/691-1223 La Porte, TX 77571 Sponsor: Staff Payton's Blend 888/550-4619 Oscar Wendell Payton, Sr. 4318 Hugh Echols Blvd. Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Brennon Marsh Pentecostals of Baytown Pastor Eric Bolenbaucher 281/573-1641 5303 N. Highway 146 Baytown, TX 77523 Sponsor: Tracey Wheeler Ranger Lift Trucks Todd Ford 281/843-2430 2100 I-10 East Freeway Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Tracey Wheeler Raw Truth Living Elizabeth Ruiz 832/453-7527 Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Tina Martinez Robinette & Company Caterers Amy Doherty 281/326-3663 216 Kirby Blvd. Seabrook, TX 77586 Sponsor: Staff Sav-Fer-Da Flavor Shirley Williams 281/422-0900 1020 Decker Dr. Baytown, TX 77520 Sponsor: Tina Martinez ShowBiz Cinemas, LLC Kevin Mitchell 10550 I- 10 East Baytown, TX 77523 Sponsor: Staff Southside Compounding Pharmacy Vishal Patel 832/831-8031 2802 Garth Rd., Suite 101 Baytown, TX 77521 Sponsor: Staff

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Page 3 Volume 54, Issue 1

Welcome to these wise investors in our community’s well-being. We extend a warm welcome to the individuals and busi-nesses that have joined the Chamber to assist in promoting develop-ment and enhancing the economy of the Baytown area. Your membership is impor-tant to this effort and to us! Please do not hesitate to call if we can assist you in any

way.

Studio Bobbie 832/784-5830 Bobbie & Dwayne Reagan 7630 N. Hwy 146, Ste 150 Baytown, TX 77523 Sponsor: Staff Youth Anger Redirection Devel-

opment Robert McKnight 281/575-9736 Baytown, TX 77521

WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT BUSINESS We often hear “Can you believe how much money Company X is making?” So why is that offensive? What we should be asking is how much Company X is putting back into the community. Making money is what business is about – it’s the Free Enterprise System. It’s what our country is based on. What are some of the things busi-

nesses do besides make a reasonable profit? Pay dividends which benefit, directly or indirectly, nearly every American; Provide more than 90 million jobs; Pay one-half of all social security taxes and pay all the unemployment taxes; Pay all the workmen’s compensation insurance; Provide retirement income to millions of Americans; Provide various fringe benefits to employees, such as life and health insurance, paid vacations, recreation facilities,

scholarships for employees’ children, health facilities, etc.; Pay income taxes to help finance government and its many welfare programs; Contribute more than $1 billion annually to worthwhile charitable and educational causes; Encourages its executives and employees to devote millions upon millions of “company time” hours annually in

volunteer work for charitable, health, educational, art and many other such organizations. A profitable American company – one that is growing and healthy – means jobs are secure and employee salaries can be increased to reward good performance. Such a business helps keep others in the marketplace; suppliers, consultants and those who transport the products of industry. Profitable companies pay taxes which help to sup-port state, local and federal governments as well as schools and other public services that otherwise would have

to be supported by increased property or other consumer taxes. In any community, it is from the profitable operations of business that all other benefits are derived. Only by succeeding in this fundamental goal can we provide the jobs and produce the wealth to finance all the governmen-

tal, civic, educational, cultural and charitable needs that our community is faced with every day. Why then does business have such a negative connotation? Are we as businesses perceived as the big group only interested in dollars and cents? Does the general public fail to see the benefits derived from business? After all,

where would we be without business? We need to remember that locally business pays 80%+ of the taxes, which keeps an excess tax off the residential

tax payer. In addition, it is Baytown business that supports Little League, Youth Fair and Rodeo, Service League, Rotary, and every other necessary community endeavor - not only with dollars but with volunteer time. These are the people that I have the opportunity to work with on a daily basis. These are the people who serve on City Commissions, School District Committees, Boards of Com-

munity Service Organizations, etc. Let’s remember to “SALUTE BAYTOWN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY” and remember that BUSINESS IS

GOOD!!

AT THE CHAMBER, BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS

BOARD VOTES TO SUPPORT

City Propositions 1-24 to include changes to the Baytown Charter.

1. Proposition 1—Street Maintenance Sales & Use Tax—this is a 1/4 cent sales tax specifically for the mainte-nance and repair of existing streets and sidewalks. This is not a new tax but a renewal which has proven to

be very beneficial to our city.

2. Baytown Crime Control & Prevention District—this is also a renewal of a sales tax initiative. This has al-lowed our Police Department to add much needed equipment and manpower to protect us on a day to day

basis.

3. Baytown Fire Control, Prevention & Emergency Medical Services District—this is also a renewal of a sales

tax initiative. This too allows for much needed equipment for our Fire and EMS department.

4. Proposition 24—Municipal Golf Course—this would allow the sale of bonds in the amount of $12,500,000 for the property purchase, construction, redevelopment, renovation, improvement and equipment of a pub-

lic golf course. The board believes that this could be an economic engine for our community.

State of Texas Proposition 7

Proposition 7 provides for a new, stable source of funding for transportation in Texas. This allows for the dedica-tion of certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for non-tolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation-related debt. This does

not require any new tax dollars or indebtedness.

Business After Hours Thursday, November 5, 2015

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Texas First Bank 819 Rollingbrook

Bring a friend or business associate with you.