A good guy, Bart Cooper, is resigning as president and general manager of Allen Samuels Chevrolet effective June 30.

For selfish reasons, I hate to see Cooper getting out of the auto business. He always has been a good source and a straight shooter when I had questions about the auto industry.

But at age 67, Cooper said the timing is right to make a change. He wants to spend a little more time relaxing and playing golf. He and his son, Alan, also are the new owners of ERA Graceland Real Estate Company in Waco, and Cooper will devote some time to that.

Dave Kersten, who most recently served as general manager of Allen Samuels Dodge in Austin, will succeed Cooper in Waco.

That Dodge store was one of 789 dealerships nationwide whose franchise Chrysler has decided to cancel as part of its reorganization.

“Dave worked in the used-car department for Allen Samuels Chevrolet in Waco several years ago and is eager to be returning to Central Texas,” said Cooper, adding he will be working with Kersten the new couple of weeks to ease the transition.

To Bart, I wish all the best.

Chamber plans trip

The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce is taking another trip, this time to Branson, Mo.

These trips officially are called “intercity visits,” and they allow Waco leaders to see what is working and not working on the economic development front in other communities.

Visits so far have taken local contingents to Chattanooga, Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.

The trip to Branson is scheduled June 22-24. Local leaders will visit with their counterparts in Branson to observe and discuss such initiatives as Branson Landing, Grand Village and the Historic District.

Cost of the trip is $675. Those wanting to go along should call the chamber’s Linda Beasley at 757-5601.

Highway 6 business

A group called Bethany Home Health Services is moving into the Waco market, taking space in Executive Plaza on State Highway 6.

I’m told they are hiring medical personnel, including registered and licensed vocational nurses, nursing assistants and physical therapists.

Local spokesman Max Tooker said Bethany is headquartered in Dallas with offices mostly in East Texas.

Horse health fair

This was just interesting enough that I had to give it a mention.

The Equine Goddess, a fashion store for horses and their riders, is hosting a health fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Owner Bonnie Wnenkowski said she has invited about a dozen health care professionals and equipment providers to talk with horse owners about taking better care of their animals.

“It’s free to the public, and all services provided the day of the event will be discounted by 10 percent,” Wnenkow- ski said.

The address is 202 Market St. in Eddy.

Bakery grand opening

The new Collin Street Bakery at Highway 31 and Interstate 35 in Bellmead has been open a couple of weeks, but it plans an official grand opening from 7 to 9 p.m. June 25, area manager Dave Baca said.

Baca said business has been “hopping” at the bakery, which serves an array of sweets and sandwiches.

The local Collin Street Bakery is the first to be built outside the company’s home base in Corsicana.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

757-5736