LMA turns 25 ...

The Logistics & Manufacturing Association will celebrate its 25-year anniversary on Wednesday night at Embassy Suites.
Keynote speaker for the event is author and former longtime Laredo businessman John A. Adams.
The LMA has played an integral part in bringing together manufacturing and logistics specialists and businessmen from across Los Dos Laredos, making sure Laredo and Nuevo Laredo work in tandem to increase transport business.
Little did anyone probably realize when the LMA's early organizational roots were formed that today, Laredo would be the United States' top land port.
The term "NAFTA" would eventually turn a border town of 50,000-60,000 people into a sprawling 200,000-plus populus.
The LMA has been here through this region's growing pains.
Now it takes a brief time out to salute the hard work and efforts of past and present leaders within the LMA.
Here's to 25 more years of success in the manufacturing and logistics business.

-- Joe Rutland

Laredo police chief encourages change ...

Laredo Police Chief Carlos Maldonado, during a noon speech at the Kiwanis Club held at the Holiday Inn Civic Center on Tuesday, said he's trying to invoke a spirit of change within the police department.
One of Maldonado's ideas includes marketing the city through LPD officers.
"Why not be courteous when stopping someone for a traffic infraction," Maldonado said. "Take time to talk with them, try and listen to what's going on at that time. What better way to market a city than through its police officers."
From a business perspective, this could be a win-win situation.
Say a Laredo resident or visitor is pulled over for some reason. An LPD officer gets out of his car or off his motorcycle, approaches the driver and begins a conversation ... while still doing his job.
When finished, that person -- should the interaction be a courteous one -- could take away a different view of not only LPD itself but the city, too.
Business leaders are so desirous of new companies and more jobs entering this more-than-200,000 populated city. This could work.
Change is difficult and, yes, hard to grasp. Give the chief this much: He's making an effort and, as a non-Laredoan in his role, tackling tough issues.
Here's hoping Maldonado and his ideas are given time to work in Laredo.

LMT Business Journal Online now up and running ...

Hey friends ...

I am proud to announce that LMT Business Journal Online is available for everyone stopping by Laredo Morning Times' main Web site at www.lmtonline.com.

Here is a direct link to our LMT Business Journal Online: http://godzilla.lmtonline.com/lmthosted/BusinessJournal/Home1.html.

Check it out!!

-- Joe Rutland