L.B. Chamber hosts 52nd annual dinner dance

The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce held its 52nd annual dinner dance at the Sands at Atlantic Beach last Sunday.

With more than 450 people in attendance, the chamber honored U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice as its Woman of the Year; Brian Bergman was named Merchant of the Year; and attorney Scott Nigro was lauded as Professional of the Year.

Bergman is the owner of Meyerson-Roth Co/DCAP Insurance and a second-generation business owner in Long Beach linked to four Long Beach families. Nigro practices law in Long Beach and served the city over the years in various elected and appointed capacities.

Barbara Bernardino, Dr. Martin Gruber and Phyllis Libutti received the prestigious Edmund A. Buscemi Public Service Award for their work advocating for a new, full-service hospital facility in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

In attendance were City Council members Fran Adelson, Len Torres, Anthony Eramo, Scott Mandel, and Eileen Goggin; City Manager Jack Schnirman; Police Commissioner Michael Tangney; State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli; State Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky; County Executive Ed Mangano; County Comptroller George Maragos; District Attorney Madeline Singas; County Legislator Denise Ford; Jon Kaiman; special advisor to the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery; Ray Donnelly; senior economic developer for the Office of Storm Recovery; and IPBRC President Terry Reichel.