News-Record.com

Becky Smothers drew laughs, Jerry Camp tears. Both were in the spotlight at today's annual meeting of the High Point Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Smothers was surprised to be named the Chamber's Distinguished Citizen of the Year for 2007, but hardly speechless.

"Crap," she said. "I've worn the wrong color."

And, about her hair: "Between the chemo curl and the gray, it doesn't photograph well."

Smothers battled breast cancer last year but didn't let that diminish her formidable leadership skills.

Chamber President Tom Dayvault cited courage under tough circumstances as one reason Smothers earned the honor. Definitely.

The Chamber produced a nice video containing tributes from local notables -- including former Greensboro Mayor Keith Holliday, who graciously credited Smothers with showing him how to be a mayor.

Referring to past winners of this award, Smothers noted they were mostly people successful in business.

"The only person who's never had a good job is me, in terms of pay," said Smothers, who was once a social worker. "I'm the lowest-paid person you've ever honored."

But she called her job as mayor a treasure.

That fits. She's solid gold.

Camp provided another emotional moment. The owner of C&D Industrial Tools and Supplies in High Point began his term as chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors -- the first African American to hold that position.

"I'm very honored. I'm very humbled," he said, dabbing at eyes moistoned by "a cold."

"Right now I'm trying to complete that dash in my life," he said, referring to what follows the year of birth, 1950 --

"I'm trying to make a difference in this community," he said, thanking the Chamber for "having the courage to give me this opportunity to serve you."

Camp has been spearheading High Point's workforce preparedness initiative, which this week announced the hiring of its first director, Michael A. Prioleau, who has been executive director of the Greensboro Education and Development Council for the past six years.

This marks a major effort in High Point to improve education and worker training aimed at fitting more residents into good-paying jobs.

Camp listed the initiative as one of his top priorities for 2008. Others mentioned are:

* Continue stressing regionalism and working cooperatively with the 21 other Chambers in the Triad.

* Focus on international business, particularly drawing more overseas companies to the furniture market.

* Develop new programs, including minority business development.

I'm happy to say Camp will be a panelist in our next One Guilford program, March 12 at UNCG, 4-6 p.m. The discussion will focus on how to better prepare Guilford County young people for success after high school.

Finally, I'm also pleased to report that the Chamber honored the News & Record for 100 years of service to High Point.

For the record, that's a lot longer than Becky Smothers has been mayor.