Joyce Latigue was the guest speaker at today’s (Monday) meeting of the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce. She is a spokesperson for the group known as “Sisters on the Go”, a local chapter of the Louisiana Coalition of African American Breast Cancer Survivors.  The cost to be a member is $10 a year and each member receives a t shirt.

Latigue said October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She is asking chamber members to “paint the town pink”. Pink is the color chosen for breast cancer awareness. Residents and businesses may purchase a sign for their store or their front yards through Ace Hardware.

          In other business, Chamber Executive Director Camille Fontenot announced the fund raising bus trip to New Orleans to see the Broadway production “The Lion King” in March is confirmed.

          The chamber currently has 159 members enrolled with 119 paid up members.

          Citizens Bank was selected as the chamber business of the month in a special drawing. The bank will receive a special yard sign and will receive an interview program over KVPI to promote the bank.

           Sally Young with Cameron Corporation reported that last month’s job fair was a big success. Some 500 people applied for positions during the job fair. The company plans to increase its work force by an additional 40 people as a result of the job fair. She remarked that business is going well with the local Ville Platte plant taking over a new gate valve line from Houston as well as new equipment lines from New Mexico and Oklahoma.

            Pam McGee gave an update report on the City’s Ready City project. There are six committees working to prepare a master strategic plan to attract additional business and industry to Ville Platte. Everything should be completed in January.

             Camille Fontenot announced that plans are firming up for the celebration of Evangeline Parish’s centennial scheduled for October 29 at courthouse square. All parish municipalities will be involved in the day long event. Vendors are needed to prepare food and sell items.  There will be musical acts featuring all types of music throughout the day.

At noon on that day, the statue of Evangeline will be unveiled in front of the courthouse.