LAKELAND — Lakeland-Lanier County Chamber of Commerce members reveled in 2007’s accomplishments and heard their new president for 2008 predict a bright economic future during the organization’s annual banquet Thursday night at Lanier County High School.

A room packed with business owners, elected officials and chamber supporters also heard guest speaker Moody AFB Col. John R. Decknick praise the exceptional level of community support that Moody personnel receive as they leave family members behind to fight the war on terrorism.

“I want to make sure you know how much what you to support us helps this nation,” said Decknick, who is commander of the 820th Security Forces Group and vice commander of the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing

at Moody.

“We can leave our loved ones behind in Lanier, Echols, Cook, Brooks, Clinch or Lowndes counties knowing we can count on them to be taken care of,” Decknick said. “This community is special. Everyone that comes here (in the military) knows that. It’s a community that cares about their heroes.”

Outgoing Chamber President Michael Lee reviewed the Chamber’s achievements of 2007, which include another successful Mill Town open golf tournament to raise money; the Mill Town Motorcade event in the spring, co-sponsorship of the Flatlanders Fall Frolic, assistance with the Red Cross blood drive, assistance with the Okeefenokee tourism promotion project, and relocation of Chamber offices to 111 Old Valdosta Highway.

The Chamber also set up a Web site on the Internet at www.milltownga.com in 2007, Lee noted.

“These accomplishments took a lot of hard work from a lot of people,” he said. “You are all to be commended for your support.”

Lee and Chamber Executive Director Jerome Tucker handed out several awards to members who performed outstanding service for the Chamber and community in 2007. Winners included:

• Gina Fender, Community Volunteer of The Year. Among other activities, Fender helped organize the Relay for Life event.

• Ruth Herndon Ivey, farmer of the Year. Ivey and her family have run a successful family farm in Lanier County for decades.

• Bi-State Roofing, Business of the Year. Retired founder Vascoe Chadwick accepted the award. His son Alan Chadwick now runs the business.

• Latrelle Chisholm, Youth Volunteer of the Year. Chisholm runs the local 4H Club program for youth and has had a direct positive influence on hundreds of young lives.

• Dr. Benjamin Bailon, Professional of the Year.

Also recognized were Chamber board members Judy Mullis and Antoine Brown for their outstanding leadership in Chamber efforts. And banquet committee members Nell Roquemore, Helen Strickland, Tina Register and Farrin Pop were thanked for organizing the evening’s event.

New officers for 2008 include Vice President Alex Lee, Treasurer Wendy Moore and President Bill Wilson.

Wilson challenged the members to be ready for an exciting year of growth and resulting challenges in Lanier County. Wilson and his wife have operated a business in Lakeland for 15 years and first moved to the area in 1993.

“In his national best seller, ‘The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,’ Malcolm Gladwell defines the ‘Tipping Point’ as ‘that magic moment when an idea, rend or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire,’” Wilson said. “I think that we are at the brink of a magic moment here in Lanier County, where interest in our area could easily ‘tip.’”

Several influences will bring the county to the “tipping point,” he noted. They include:

• The Chamber’s “Shop Lakeland-Lanier County First” promotion. A “First Tuesday” event which features late night shopping here will also draw some interest from locals and neighbors alike. “When you shop locally, not only do you help local merchants. You also put money into our schools and invest to expand or renew our infrastructure. The economy, especially rising gas prices, should drive this initiative and keep dollars at home,” Wilson said.

• Downtown restoration: Investments being made to revitalize some of our decayed downtown structures will help in presenting a better face to visitors and will offer an inviting venue where people can visit and shop.

• Lakeland’s attractive downtown murals and the area’s natural resources will continue to combine to attract visitors.

• Moody AFB’s changing roles are bringing a change in demographics that will provide growth in the Lanier economy. “With fewer trainees and more mature families coming into the community, the demand for housing and other goods and services should grow,” Wilson said.

• Chamber Vice President Alex Lee’s involvement in the Entrepreneurial Community, or “E-Community” initiative will help the area become a more favorable place for small start-up businesses to locate.

“As (outgoing President) Mike Lee sang last year, ‘The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades,’ I’ll steal from that this year and sing, ‘I’m so excited I just can’t hide it,” Wilson said with a grin.

“Please get on board, get excited, and become a salesman for Lakeland-Lanier County,” Wilson urged. “With everyone’s help, we can experience that magic moment when we reach Gladwell’s ‘tipping point.’ And as a result we will see more new businesses locating here, more people shopping here, and more visitors coming here to experience what Lakeland-Lanier County has to offer. All of these factors will usher in new levels of success and prosperity for our community.”