By VICTORIA A. CARUSO
In November, Mr. Hudes defeated Viki DeJong (D-Salisbury) for the Town of Hempstead's Sixth Councilmatic District, which takes in North Merrick, East Meadow, Levittown and Salisbury. Town policy allows council members to keep their careers or volunteer positions. Mr. Hudes, however, said that the enormous time he spends volunteering as the Chambers Council president would hinder his ability to serve District 6 residents.
"Although the town board is described as a part-time position, I don't
see it that way," said Mr. Hudes, who is president of Gennaro Jewelers on
Bedford Ave., Bellmore. "I don't think it would be fair to the citizens
if my time were split between the Council and the Town of Hempstead. I have
accomplished many goals as president of the Council of Chambers, and it's time
to put effort into serving the residents and businesses of the Town of
Hempstead."
Mr. Hudes added that his professional experience will benefit merchants in his councilmatic district. "Small businesses in the Town of Hempstead will have someone who understands their ongoing struggle to compete with larger, better-financed companies," he said.
The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce formed in 1985 to help the disparate chambers across the county address the many problems that small businesses face in today's increasingly competitive retail market. "The individual chambers of commerce had common problems that they were working on differently," said Mr. Hudes. "The chambers realized that, if they pooled together, they would be a more effective resource and have a common body." The Council now comprises 52 chambers and 6,000 small businesses.
A member of the Chambers Council for the past 10 years, Mr. Hudes served as the group's vice president during the late 1990's. In December 1997, he assumed the presidency after the sudden death of Cedarhurst resident Daniel Lehner, owner of Inflight Newspapers, Inc. in Valley Stream. Mr. Hudes completed Mr. Lehner's term, and the Chambers Council elected him in 1999 to serve his own two-year term.
Under Mr. Hudes's guidance, the Chambers Council has staunchly supported Operation Downtown, a partnership between local chambers and Nassau County that provides monies to revitalize the area's aging commerce zones. The Council has also helped develop the Nassau County Graffiti Task Force, of which Mr. Hudes is a member, and the Nassau County Parking Violations Bureau. Mr. Hudes has also served as Bellmore Village's revitalization director, overseeing a $3-million project to restore the Village as an old-fashioned downtown.
Mr. Hudes has also served with the Town of Hempstead Cell Tower Task Force, the Long Island Power Authority Clean Energy Panel, the Nassau County Fire Museum and Education Center Board, the Kiwanis Club of Levittown and the Bellmore Lions Club. He is also a past-president of the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce.
In 1997, Mr. Hudes was named New York State's Small Business Advocate of the Year. In 2000, the Chambers Council named him Small Businessman of the Year.
Of his efforts to promote small business, Mr. Hudes said, "I started the downtown revitalization as a pilot program in Bellmore that eventually spread to similar projects in
Garden City, East Meadow, Merrick and Freeport. The design concept of brick sidewalks, antique lighting and benches in Bellmore was the catalyst for bringing an old-fashioned look back into our downtowns."
Mr. Hudes said he is also proud that, through his efforts, the Council has joined
forces with the Hofstra University Development Center. Through this partnership, the Council has provided seminars to an estimated 5,000 small businesses throughout Nassau County. The seminars' purpose, said Mr. Hudes, "is to help small businesses survive, compete and prosper."
Paul Paretta, co-president of the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce and owner of Bike Alley on Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore, said, "Gary Hudes has been very instrumental [in promoting small business]. He is a true believer in the professionalism of your business and always goes out of his way."
Robin Karp, executive director of the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce who has worked with Mr. Hudes for more than a decade, considers him not only an advocate for small businesses, but also a community leader. "He has constantly committed himself to the quality of life he lives and works in," said Ms. Karp. "Gary has helped so many groups, not just small businesses. He is a friend to the community and the people."
Jeff Lovering, co-president of the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce and owner
of Goshinkan Dojo on Bedford Ct., Bellmore, agreed. "He is a very energetic and
forward-thinking individual who I've looked to for leadership and advice. I
am proud to have him as a friend, as well as a co-owner in the business
community."
David McDonough, who will assume the presidency of the Chambers Council in January, said, "Gary Hudes was able to provide other small business with useful information on how to properly attract and serve the needs of their communities' customers. He has been a very effective leader of the Nassau Council of Chambers of
Commerce. While he was president, small business improved."
Mr. McDonough is owner of Graydon Associates Ltd., a credit and collections company on Merrick Ave., Merrick. He has served four one-year terms as
president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce and has been vice president of
the Nassau Council since 1997. He is also past president of the Kiwanis Club of Merrick.
Mr. McDonough said his main goal as the Council president will be to continue providing small businesses with the information they need to grow. "While we recognize larger stores serve the community's needs, it is the small businesses that are supporting the organizations in the communities," said Mr. McDonough, who has been a member of the Council since 1994. "They are the eyes and ears of a community. By working with the
chambers, we can help them to improve their identity in the community and
encourage residents to shop locally and as often as possible."
Mr. Hudes said, "A strong community is a partnership between residents
and small businesses. Like a good school district, it is also important to have a strong business community so that the tax base is being supported and home values are enhanced."
He added that Mr. McDonough is the right man to take over as the Chambers Council president. "Dave McDonough is deserving of the position," said Mr. Hudes. "He has demonstrated his commitment to small businesses and the community for many years."
He will serve the remainder of Mr. Hudes's term, which expires in December 2001.
