Tramonte takes reins of isle chamber

GALVESTON — There was an Elvis sighting at the Galveston Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet Thursday. There also were sightings of the Jackson 5, Ron Burgundy of “Anchorman” fame and a couple of “Ladies of the Night” managers. Even Tony Manero of “Saturday Night Fever” fame made an appearance.

The 1970s were celebrated in style along with the top community winners during the chamber’s 165th banquet at the Tremont House’s Davidson Ballroom.

The night also drew to a close Fred Raschke’s two-year run as the chairman of the chamber board and a special tribute to former chairwoman and consummate Galveston cheerleader Betty Massey.

Raschke, who sported a white leisure suit similar to the one worn by John Travolta’s character in “Saturday Night Fever,” turned over the chairmanship of the chamber to V.J. Tramonte. During his speech outlining his goals for the chamber for the coming year, Tramonte made an impassioned plea for support of a paid seawall parking plan.

“I am sick of bringing people to Galveston and them having to use a port-a-potty on the seawall,” Tramonte said to a solid round of applause as he pushed for Galveston residents to support a proposed ballot proposal that would have parking meters installed along Seawall Boulevard.

“We need restrooms on the seawall. We need showers on the seawall.”

The night included a series of awards. Massey received the Spirit of Galveston trophy, while an Elvis-garbed Vic Pierson, president of Moody Bank, accepted the Business Person of the Year award. The business of the year went to the Galveston Restaurant Group, while The Daily News’ publisher Dolph Tillotson was named the outstanding committee chairman of the year.

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Galveston Chamber Award Winners

• Ambassador of the Year: JessieAnn Bradshaw

• Volunteers of the Year: Becky Walsdorf and Jerry Mohn

• Business Person of the Year: Vic Pierson

• Outstanding Committee Chairman: Dolph Tillotson

• Christie Mitchell Beachcomber Award: Landry’s Restaurants/Fertitta Hospitality

• Businesses of the Year: Galveston Restaurant Group and Home Town Bank

• Entrepreneur of the Year: Mike Dean

• Best New Program: C-Crewe

• Outstanding Committee: Advocacy

• C-Crewe Members of the Year: Beau Yarbrough, Magen Ortiz, Abel Ortiz, Ben Peterek

• Hall of Fame inductees: Dr. Ben Raimer and Bill Ross

• Pioneer Award: Gaido’s Seafood

• Phoenix Award: DiBella’s Italian Restaurant

• Unsung Heroes: Laura Blackshear and Gene Nevelow

• Spirit of Galveston: Betty Massey

• Chairman’s Award: Members of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce