Working to build a better neighborhood

When Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association President Jaime Wysocki recruits new members for the organization, she reminds them that although many business associations cater only to businesses, she has decided to take a different approach.

“Every time I ask prospective members to join, they ask what the association will do for them, and I say it’s not about what it will do for you, it’s about what local businesses as a whole can do for our community,” Wysocki said. “We’re not just about making businesses better, we’re about making our neighborhood better.”

Wysocki, the owner of Dance Express in Woodmere, became the group’s president last July, and for the past year she has overseen beautifying projects, such as weed-cutting and the installation of planters on Broadway in Hewlett and Woodmere, as well as events like Arts Below Sunrise, a music and arts festival that was held last October. The second annual event is slated for Sept. 27.

“Every year we’re building more and more — having more events, and our projects are getting more intense,” she said. “We’ve been working very hard and it’s not an easy task, but little by little we’re making improvements.”

Despite the association’s efforts, membership has decreased in 2013, according to Wysocki. “For whatever reason, the store owners that had little to no involvement with the association chose not to rejoin,” she said. “Either they didn’t have the time or didn’t feel that the $125 annual membership fee was worth it, but our board is full, and we understand that it’s one day at a time.”

The HWBA also suffered the loss of its treasurer, Michael Ludwig, who died while on vacation in Jamaica in March.

Georgiana Wolfson, executive director of the Center for Adult Life Enrichment, said that Wysocki has been a vital part of the HWBA since she became president. “She’s the glue that has held the association together, especially over the last year, with the passing of the treasurer,” Wolfson said.

A two-year member of the business association, Wolfson sought to involve the senior population with the business community. “We want to thrive, and we want our businesses to have the strength of our community,” she said. “In the future, I’d like to see membership grow and people that are members become more active.”

Over the next year, Wysocki said, the main focus of the HWBA will be to increase the number of residents shopping locally, and she wants to bring a Restaurant Week to Hewlett and Woodmere four times a year — once each season. “I’d also like to put in a digital community board in both communities so we can tell residents and building owners when our meetings are, and information about events and Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education programs,” she said. “We’d like to keep the connection between us, the residents and the school district.”

She added that the organization would like to host Nights in the Park events, similar to the Tuesday night concerts in Cedarhurst, and possibly a talent show at the Woodmere Education Center in late fall or early winter. “We would also love to have a storefront that would just be for our group, where someone would be there so people could walk in and give suggestions for the community or get information,” Wysocki said. “When you’re not an incorporated village, it’s hard to know where to turn to.”

Audrey Goodman, the community relations coordinator for the Valley Stream-based Peninsula Counseling Center, joined the organization two years ago to strengthen its connection to the communities, she said. “I believe that HWBA is a vital part of the community as a strong, central organization to meet the needs and changes in Hewlett and Woodmere,” she said.

Goodman added that Wysocki’s presidency has been a successful one. “It’s evident that Jaime is an enthusiastic and capable leader who is focusing on improving and strengthening both towns for residents and businesses,” she said. “I think that the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association has already positively impacted the community by bringing together the businesses, schools, and nonprofit agencies like PCC, and will greatly influence a unified community effort in the future.”

Wysocki said she believes residents and business owners are taking note of what the association has been doing. “There are new businesses opening; we’re trying to beautify the community, raise funds and bring the neighborhoods together,” she said. “I hope people see the changes.”

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