By: Anthony Rifilato
"She came in apprehensive, but she's done so well during her first year in office," said Barbara Fullerton, secretary of the BCC. "Doris is doing a fabulous job."
With a supportive group behind her, and some guidance from Foley, who is now vice president, Duffy, the Herald's 2003 Person of the Year, has confidently taken the reins as chamber president, helping to create a sense of optimism about Baldwin's economic and commercial future.
"Doris is really trying to push ahead," said Fullerton.
After she moved to Baldwin 15 years ago and had two children, Ryan and Jenna, Duffy opted to put her career as a trial attorney in New York City on hold in order to raise her kids. She eventually became president of the Milburn Elementary School PTA.
"We liked the town, we liked the schools and we liked the people," said her husband, Garrett, who's also a lawyer. "She wanted to stay home, but she wanted outside interests."
Once her children were older, Duffy returned to work as an attorney, though her community involvement had already begun to broaden.
When she heard complaints from some in town about how Baldwin was deteriorating, Duffy decided to do more than carp, something friends and colleagues said has inspired others. "She'd rather do than complain," said Garrett. "She decided to go and help improve Baldwin."
Her efforts began to intensify in 1997, when she became a founding member of the Baldwin Community Association. "People realized that in the absence of local government, there needed to be a group of concerned citizens who volunteered their time," said fellow BCA member Deborah Maniaci. "She wants to make sure that where she lives and raises her children is the best it can be."
Among the group's many initiatives was a grass-roots effort in 2000 to unify Baldwin in one legislative district at every level of government. At the time it was politically divided along district lines and among multiple representatives at the state and local levels. As residents of an unincorporated town, locals argued that their voting power and political voice were diluted.
To reduce the number of lawmakers in Baldwin at each legislative level, Duffy was instrumental in the BCA's efforts to petition the state Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment, a bipartisan panel charged with redrawing congressional, Senate and Assembly districts. In February, the Nassau County Legislature redrew its legislative lines, and 98 percent of Baldwin was unified under one legislator, Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin), instead of three.
"[Duffy] spearheaded the efforts to unite Baldwin in one election district," said Maniaci.
On behalf of the BCA and the chamber, Duffy has also played a crucial role in a number of community projects, including the Downtown Development Study, the renovation of the LIRR station and Baldwin's facade improvement project to spruce up area storefronts and upgrade lighting and walkways.
After serving on the chamber's board of directors, and then as vice president for two years, Duffy was sworn in as president in February. Since then, she and the chamber have continued seeking ways to improve Baldwin. In addition to creating a downtown improvement plan and a number of beautification projects, in 2003 the BCC hired FranchiseHelp Inc., a company that works to market Baldwin as an attractive location for high-end businesses.
"Doris has been the impetus," said Fullerton. "She's meeting with the people who are interested in opening businesses in Baldwin."
As chamber president, Duffy has also become an emissary of sorts to communicate with town and county officials on Baldwin's behalf, especially when it comes to downtown redevelopment. In the past year, the Town of Hempstead, working with the BCC, installed 86 planters along main thoroughfares in Baldwin, filled with shrubs and flowers.
During County Executive Tom Suozzi's economic redevelopment tour of the area in September, Duffy proved to be a valuable resource when it came to working with county officials and providing them with insight into some of the challenges Baldwin faces. "She's very proactive, and has a tremendous vision," said Foley.
That vision was exemplified when Duffy negotiated with the MTA during the redesign of the Baldwin LIRR train station, whose initial design drew opposition. "She persevered with the MTA," Foley said. "That station looks great thanks to her."
While all agree that Duffy is a major force, they say her efforts are complemented by the work of her colleagues at the chamber and BCA. "It's important that people know we're working together, said Fullerton. "It's a very cohesive board."
It's a cohesiveness that Duffy, who was also named 2002 Small Business Person of the Year by the Nassau Council Chambers of Commerce, helps maintain.
"I think she inspires and encourages others to get involved," said Maniaci. "I find her to be inspirational."
