GONZALES, La. (AP) — Leaders of the Ascension Parish Chamber of Commerce are strongly criticizing the City Council after it refused to rezone a 22-acre tract proposed for a business development.

The Advocate reported (http://bit.ly/Oov4Yt) that in an email to Mayor Barney Arceneaux, chamber chairman Matthew Pryor and president Sherrie Despino say the council turned its back on economic prosperity.