Bellmore chamber installs board, honors members

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores reflected on the past year by honoring members, in addition to looking forward by swearing in the organization’s new board, at its annual installation ceremony last Saturday.

Chamber members and Bellmorites gathered at the Woodbury Country Club on Jan. 18 for the ceremony. The pirate-themed festivities included the installation of the 2014 board, as well as award presentations to members and residents.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray was on hand to swear in the board. Debby Izzo, owner of the Dirty Dawg, will remain the chamber president in 2014. Peter Ray of AG Electrical Supply is becoming vice president. Dan Yngstrom of the Vietnam War Veterans Association will serve as treasurer, and Joe Verdi of Income Tax Plus is the board’s new secretary.

Several other board members will return in 2014, alongside two new members, chamber officials said. Jim Spohrer of Bellmore Automotive and Billy Polara, owner of Polara Jewelers, were added to the board.

The chamber also celebrated one former board member. Izzo presented Steve Eplan, who owns the Rock Underground and Perri Funding, with the Board Member of the Year Award.

Other business owners and community members received awards sponsored by Richner Communications, Inc., parent company of the Bellmore Herald Life. Publisher Cliff Richner presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to members of the Camilleri family. Dorothy Camilleri, who died last January, opened Dear Little Dollies on Bedford Avenue in 1987.

Richner also presented the Community Person of the Year Award to Andrea Chirico, a local volunteer, and the Chamber Member of the Year to Jackie Fithian of Vital Signs Plus, Inc.

And the chamber honored Robert Alweis, a local engineer.