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Mostly Cloudy New year, fresh start for F.S. Chamber
Several dozen guests attend swearing-in
About 65 people attended the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce’s first meeting of 2023 to witness the swearing in of new chamber officers and a new board of directors.
The slate of officers, invested at Olivetto Pizzeria & Ristorante on Jan. 11, included President Lisa DelliPizzi; first, second, third and fourth vice presidents Patricia McColley, Jaime Parra, Joseph Romeo and Adrienne Greene; Treasurer Santino Sarrica; and Secretary Domenico Ciaccio.
This marks DelliPizzi’s fourth term as chamber president, a position she took on in January 2020, after she started making connections in the Franklin Square community just by knocking on doors and sparking conversation.
Since then, the chamber has faced its fair share of successes and obstacles, but DelliPizzi and the rest of the team have carried on to serve the Franklin Square community and businesses.
“Franklin Square chamber is always forging ahead,” DelliPizzi said. “I think we have a very good balance of people from the past and a lot of new blood.”
Legislator John Guiffrè administrated the oath of office to the 10 business owners who will serve on the chamber’s board of directors for 2023: Joseph Ardito, Esq., Joseph Camolli, Bruno Caracciolo, Frank Cutolo, Johnson John, Joseph Petrosino, Riyaz Remtulla, Joseph Ruscillo, William Sonner and Erik Wortmann.
Thomas Scanlon, the chamber’s outgoing fourth vice president, was honored for his contributions. In addition to serving as a chamber officer, Scanlon is a member of the Knights of Columbus and Ancient Order of the Hibernians.
“You’re a friend to us all and you always have a smile on your face,” DelliPizzi said to Scanlon.
Assemblyman Ed Ra, who attended the swearing-in ceremony, praised the chamber for increasing membership, especially during a difficult time with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ra said he grew up in Franklin Square, only a few blocks from Olivetto Pizzeria, and has enjoyed witnessing the new events and festivals the chamber has organized for the community.
“I think they have already become staples on our community calendar,” Ra said.
Councilman Tom Muscarella praised DelliPizzi for her dedication to the chamber, ability to organize various community events and efforts to increase membership.
Elaine Phillips, Nassau County comptroller, thanked DelliPizzi for inviting her to the installation ceremony and emphasized the important role small businesses play in the economic development of the community.
“It’s very easy to say our communities aren’t getting better and we don’t have economic development, we don’t have inner beautiful grounds in our community,” Phillips said. “It’s another thing to get out there and make change happen.”
Joseph Cairo, chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee, stopped by to praise the chamber and local elected officials for their accomplishments in Franklin Square and surrounding neighborhoods.
“It’s a great community Franklin Square,” Cairo said. “You got a great representation.”
