By LOIS KINDLE | The Tampa Tribune
Commissioner Murman with Commissioner Ken Hagan and Hillsborough County Hispanic Liaison Tony Morejon.
Published: July 27, 2011
RUSKIN —
The parking lot of the VFW post was filled to capacity and vehicles spilled onto the shoulder of U.S 41 at the newly formed SouthShore Chamber of Commerce’s first Business After Hours July 20.
Executive Director Melanie Morrison said she was ecstatic about the size of the crowd.
“What a fabulous turnout,” she said, surveying the room. Everyone is networking, meeting lots of new people. The enthusiasm in the room is contagious.”
Melanie Morrison, executive director of the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, left, greets Connie Lesko of Freedom Plaza.
Part of the agenda included the announcement of the 2011-12 honorary mayor of Apollo Beach: Molly Maxwell-Edmunds of Universal Power Solutions. She and opponent Georgia Thomas of Victoria’s 5th Avenue Salon raised $22,000, $10,000 more than last year’s total.
Members of Southshore Chamber of Commerce
“We had two superb candidates who poured their hearts and souls into their campaigns,” said Ron Seagren, who served as vice president for the Apollo Beach chamber before it merged recently with the Ruskin-SouthShore chamber to become the new SouthShore chamber. “They did an excellent job and received lots of support from the community. Their campaigns were spirited and very successful.
Both women will donate half their proceeds to their charities of choice, and the remainder went to the Apollo Beach chamber.