Chamber celebrates its own

Business group installs president, board

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Members of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce clinked glasses of wine and champagne when they toasted the new president, Frank Camarano Jr., and the rest of the incoming board of directors at the organization’s installation dinner on Feb. 3.

“Besides the East Meadow community, we want to become involved even more now, than ever before, with the Salisbury community as a whole,” Camarano said.

“A Salisbury business that joins the chamber involves it directly in the positive community support that we are already doing,” he continued. “This promotes their own business by bringing in more revenue, and allowing their own re-investment in that area. This benefits not only their own business, but the Salisbury community as a whole. We intend to reach out and make it happen. It’s that important!”

Camarano raised his right hand as Norma Gonsalves, the Nassau County Legislature’s president officer, herself an East Meadow resident, swore him in as the new chamber president at Westbury Manor. A sudden short, loud giggle from Camarano interrupted Gonsalves. They both laughed.

“He’s a funny, funny guy,” Helen Meittinis, president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue, said. “He’s so honest. He can make a whole room laugh, and he can make a whole room listen. He’s serious and committed to the community, and he just finds ways to make people laugh, too.”

Gonsalves said that although she has only known Camarano for six months, his community-oriented mindset has impressed her. “What amazes me about Frank is the fact that not only is he a businessman, but he’s a community man as well,” she said. “I was very proud and honored to install him, and I spoke with him again on Monday and extended my congratulations again. I look forward to working with him for the upcoming year.”

Hempstead Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad installed the board of directors, including outgoing chamber president Will Miranda, who became the board chairman. “Will did so many wonderful things for the community during his presidency,” Ahmad said. “The first thing he asked me last year was, ‘How can we help?’ The chamber does so much for the community. They’re always watching out for the residents.”

As a Salisbury resident, Ahmad said she looked forward to the chamber extending its welcome to that community. “It’s a wonderful thing when Salisbury feels welcomed by the East Meadow community,” Ahmad said. “I go to so many different chamber events, but the East Meadow chamber is my favorite because it’s my home.” 

The chamber honored longtime East Meadow resident Dolores Rome as its 2016 Person of the Year, and incoming board members received Town of Hempstead citations to honor them for their community service. 

“This year is going to be a good one,” Camarano said. “I’ll make sure of it.”