Virginia Porston, a horticulture teacher at Delgado Community College in Covington and New Orleans, has been elected president of the Old Mandeville Business Association for 2008, succeeding Rick Dennie, who did not seek another term.

Fortson, former planning director for the city Of Mandeville, was elected without opposition along with a slate of new officers at the association's general membership meeting and social late last year at Juniper's Restaurant on Lafitte Street. Others elected at that meeting were: Vice President Promotions/Marketing, Kerri Blache; Vice President Membership, Sandra Terrell; Vice President Economic Development, Paul Williamson; Vice President Chamber Of Commerce Liasion, Roz Rider; Treasurer, Roz Rider; Corresponding Secretary, Julie Egle; and Recording Secretary, Richard Boyd.

All were re-elected to new one-year terms except Forton, Williamson and Rider. Williamson replaces Vaughan Sollberger, who did not seek a new term, and Rider replaces Kathy Dionne as treasurer and Linda Strickland as chamber liaision, both of who did not seek new terms. Dennie along with his wife, Tess, were among the founders of the Old Mandeville Business Association six years ago. Dennie has served two terms as president and his wife has headed the organization for a year. Both said for 2008 they wanted to step down from leadership positions for a year and devote their time to working as volunteers in various events the association will be sponsoring in 2008.

"We had an outstanding 2007. I believe for OMBA beginning with our Art, Heart and Soul street festival and run in the spring, our sponsorship again of a very successful Empty Bowl Project in November to benefit the Samaritan Center. And we ended the year with perhaps our most successful Christmas Past Festival on Dec. 8 and the historic buildings tours on Dec. 9," Dennie said.

He said more than 100 street vendors obtained permits to exhibit on Dec. 8 on Girod Street from Woodrow Street south to Jefferson Street.

"I think we had record crowds for the event," he said.

"I believe OMBA is a very positive force in the cultural and economic health of Old Mandeville and I look forward to working as a volunteer in 2008 with the new officers as we embark on a full schedule of association-sponsored events," he said.

The elected officers also comprise the association's board of directions and they meet monthly and general membership meetings ending with socials at various Old Mandeville businesses are held every other month.