Legislators, chamber members, citizens and friends of the citygathered in Jackson Tuesday for the 15th annual Brookhaven-LincolnCounty Chamber of Commerce Brookhaven Day at the Capitol.

“It was a wonderful success, and a bigger crowd than last year,”said Chamber Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield. “We havegreat representation from Brookhaven, and we’re very pleased.”

This year the event was held on the second floor of the rotundabecause space downstairs had been overbooked with other events,chamber officials said. Many thought the result was a bettersituation for everyone involved.

“I tell you what, any time you have this many Brookhaven peopleinvading the Capitol, it’s a good thing,” said Chancery ClerkTillmon Bishop. “We have good representation from our folks, andit’s good to see so many of our county leaders in one place,particularly the Capitol.”

District 92 Rep. Dr. Jim Barnett was proud to point out that hesuggested the first Brookhaven Day 15 years ago after his firstyear in office. He said he was more than pleased with the turnoutthis year.

“Another great Brookhaven Day at the Capitol,” he said. “Everyyear it gets better. The leaders receive it quite well, and theylook forward to it every year.”

Brumfield said Brookhaven Day is a great way to keep the city inthe minds of state lawmakers.

“We do this annually as an awareness-builder, to thanklegislators for our success and remind them of our needs,” hesaid.

Part of that success he attributed to the Mississippi School ofthe Arts. MSA officials and student were in attendance for artexhibits and performances by the school’s show choir, which sangfor the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“We’re also very pleased to have the School of the Arts here,”Brumfield said. “They’ve got a tremendous art display, and we’reproud to have them singing for the Senate and the House.”

The choir arrested the crowd during its performance for theSenate. The choir was introduced by District 39 Sen. CindyHyde-Smith as Brookhaven visitors watched from the fourth-floorgalley.

“I was watching, and during the other stuff, people were millingaround on the Senate floor,” said Alderman at Large Les Bumgarner.”But when those kids sang, everyone stopped and listened.”

MSA Executive Director Vicki Lambert said she thought the schoolwas better than well-represented.

“The kids always exceed our expectations,” she said. “Wheneverwe set any standard of excellence, they always rise to it andexceed it.”