Baldwin Chamber of Commerce announces plans for fireworks show and increasing membership

It has been only a few months since Erik Mahler and Ralph Rose took over the leadership of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, but membership is up and a slew of community-improvement projects are planned.

"We want to continue the fireworks, we want to get new signs up, and we want to do the beautification project," said Mahler, the organization's co-president. "Those are the three goals for this year."

After the success of the first-ever Baldwin fireworks show last year, Mahler said it was a clear that there should be another show this year. Indeed, the show was such a hit that even the slumping economy couldn't slow donations for fireworks this year: Nearly half of the $12,500 cost has been raised in a short time.

"It's going to be a bigger, better show," Mahler said.

Chamber officials are also planning a beautification project on the center island where Grand Avenue splits at Foxhurst Road. The plan would ideally use some county funding for trees, flowers and shrubs. And Chamber officials are hoping that the group's own Evergreen Landscape Inc. can do the job.

They are also seeking a state grant for 180 trees to be planted along major thoroughfares — Grand Avenue, Merrick Road, Sunrise Highway, Atlantic Avenue and perhaps others.

Mahler said that the Chamber hopes to procure seven "Welcome to Baldwin" signs to be erected around town. The precise wording of the signs has not been determined, he said, but they would clearly identify

Baldwin.

"Baldwin is a very beautiful town," Mahler said. "Many towns have no distinction of when you enter and leave the town. It's a nice idea for people entering Baldwin."

The Chamber has grown in 2010, with about 40 new members signing up since the end of last year, bringing the total membership to 135. This will only help the Chamber in the long run, Mahler said. "Numbers speak volumes — any not-for-profit organization will tell you that," he said. "They have more pull when you have more funding. We could never do half of these projects without funding and donations."

The next meeting of the Chamber — a luau — will be held at Sonny's Canal House on June 15, in conjunction with the Freeport and Oceanside Chambers.