By: Nick Buglione
Bloom, 28, is the youngest person ever to serve as president of the business organization, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Reflecting on his year in office, Bloom, co-owner of Sir Speedy Printing of Westbury, said the chamber experienced much growth and progress. I think things went wonderfully, he said. More than anything, I had fun. I-ve always felt that the three main objectives of a chamber of commerce are to develop business, teach the future business leader, and act as a liaison between businesses and government. I feel we hit all three of those areas.
Under Bloom the chamber continued and expanded its popular Culinary Delights and Day at the Races fund-raisers, which brought in $15,000 and $5,000, respectively. Some $7,000 of the money raised during the Culinary Delights was donated to Nassau University Medical Center-s neonatal unit. The chamber also raised $20,000 in scholarships in the past year.
This year we did very well, Bloom said. The best part is all that money goes right back into the community.
During Bloom-s term, the chamber also launched a new loyalty program to encourage residents to shop locally. People living in the 11554 zip code were issued discount cards that can be used to get special incentives at participating local stores.
He did a fantastic job, said Gregory Peterson, who was the event-s master of ceremonies. He brought energy and verve to our community and the chamber.
A certified public accountant and owner of Pietro-s Pizza, John Arigo hopes to expand on the Bloom-s initiatives and that of other past presidents.
He-ll concentrate on creating more fund-raisers, expanding the chamber of commerce-s membershipwhich currently stands at about 259 businessesand improving the East Meadow town square.
I-m very proud to be president, said Arigo, who is married and has five children. I-m very honored.
Along with Arigo, the chamber of commerce-s board of directors and officers were sworn in. Walter Skinner, of All State Insurance, is serving as first vice president; Paul Stargot, of a certified public accountant, is second vice president; Christopher Hackert, of East Meadow Florist, is treasurer; and Janine Kelly, of Kelly Family Chiropractic, is secretary.
Meanwhile, John Tufarelli, of Century 21 American Homes, was honored as Man of the Year. Since joining the chamber, Tufarelli has co-chaired its annual journal, raising some $21,000 for development of the East Meadow town square and scholarships for local students.
In 2001, he started the first joint networking party with the Levittown Chamber of Commerce. He also co-chairs the annual holiday party with the East Meadow Kiwanis. The creator of the popular Culinary Delights fund-raiser, Tufarelli received the small businessman of the year award from the Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce in 2003.
I-m so proud and honored to be the East Meadow Man of the Year, Tufarelli said. I love East Meadow and what the chamber of commerce stands for. We have one of the strongest chambers around and that-s because of the people who are here tonight.
Also during the evening, Frank Saracino, former superintendent of East Meadow schools, received the Silver Fox Award for outstanding service to the chamber, and Dolores Rome, of RMB Drafting, won the Marvin Bernstein Humanitarian Award for service to the community.
