East Meadow Chamber of Commerce celebrates new year

The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce looked back on 2010 and welcomed its new leaders for 2011 at the 56th Annual Installation of Officers and Board of Directors on Jan. 28 at Fox Hollow in Woodbury. 

Immediate past president Rose Fuger passed the gavel to Peter Cipriano Jr., who takes lead of the business organization that serves the East Meadow community. 

“Peter is very energetic and enthusiastic,” said Fuger, who moves into her new role as chairwoman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “I am hoping he will continue to create change, because change is good. Change means there are new and fresh ideas.”

Cipriano said he plans to build on initiatives already in place, including the PTA Shop Local program created during Fuger’s tenure, while also developing new efforts. 

“We need to continue our efforts with our local community by continually promoting our businesses to them and asking them to shop our products and services as a Chamber,” Cipriano said.  

During his acceptance speech, Cipriano also revealed his desire to work toward creating a more vibrant downtown along East Meadow Avenue, near Veterans Memorial Park. The new president said the Chamber will revisit this issue, and work to clean the area up and request project assistance.

“This will take a while, but it is well worth doing the right thing for this town’s future,” Cipriano said. 

Cipriano also welcomed his new staff of officers and the 11-member Board of Directors. He congratulated John Arigo, a past president of the Chamber, for being the organization’s Man of the Year for 2011.  

Cipriano owns the family-operated Cipriano’s Nursery and Florist on 1660 Front Street in East Meadow with his wife, Jennifer. They have two children, Peter and Isabella. 

Before passing the ceremonial gavel to Cipriano, Fuger honored the 2010 Chamber officers and Board of Directors. She also presented the Chamber’s two prestigious installation awards: the Dave Rothbaum Silver Fox Award, given to an individual or organization who has shown outstanding service to the Chamber during the year, and the Marvin Bernstein Humanitarian Award, given to an individual or organization who has shown outstanding service to the East Meadow community and its neighbors during the year. Fuger presented Past President Dr. Janine Kelly with the Dave Rothbaum Silver Fox Award and Past President Walter Skinner with the Marvin Bernstein Humanitarian Award.

The Chamber, which always welcomes new business and civic members, holds general meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at times and locations to be announced. For more information, visit www.eastmeadowchamber.com. 

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New officers for 2011

President: Peter Cipriano Jr. 

First Vice President: Millie Jones

Second Vice President: Walter Skinner

Treasurer: Connie Duggan

Secretary: Mitchell Allen

Board of
Directors

Chairwoman: Rose Fuger

Directors:

Gisella Bello

Mike Caputo

Kathy Haberkern

Steve Haller

Dolores Rome

Frank Saracino

Mitchell Skoller

Paul Telese

Dominic Tinnerello

Tom Vogel

Eileen Wulff

Awards

Dave Rothbaum Silver Fox Award:
Dr. Janine Kelly

Marvin Bernstein Humanitarian Award: Walter Skinner