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Overcast Island Park Chamber of Commerce honorees
The Island Park Chamber of Commerce honored former mayor James Ruzicka, retiring State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and prominent resident Barbra Rubin-Perry at its annual dinner-dance on Oct. 23, at the Bridgeview Yacht Club.
Ruzicka, who was elected mayor in 2006 and served two four-year terms before retiring from public service last April, was given the Community Service Award. Ruzicka, who has lived in Island Park for 62 years, was mayor when Superstorm Sandy slammed into the South Shore on Oct. 29, 2012. He was praised for his resourcefulness while leading the village in a time of crisis.
“It took all of us working together to survive Sandy,” he said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”
Ruzicka served on the Island Park Fire Department for 35 years, and was elected chief of the department in 1990.
Weisenberg, who has represented the 20th Assembly District, which includes Oceanside and Island Park, since 1989, received a lifetime achievement award. Rubin-Perry, who was recognized for her extensive volunteer work in the community, including 11 years as the president of the Island Park Chamber of Commerce, also received a lifetime achievement award.
The chamber named EmPower Solar as its Business of the Year. EmPower is a solar design, engineering installation and contracting company located in Island Park. The company has installed over 800 solar systems across Long Island, New York City and Westchester, and has consulted on many solar and alternative fuel infrastructure projects throughout the country.
