County chambers celebrate Nassau's small businessmen and women

Hundreds of Chamber of Commerce members from chapters throughout Nassau County gathered last Friday to honor the people who make up the economic backbone of the county. The occasion was the 26th annual Small Businessperson of the Year and Legislative Breakfast, sponsored by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

Karen Resnick, known to many business owners in Rockville Centre as the senior account representative for the Rockville Centre Herald, and as secretary of the executive board of the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce, was the local chapter’s honoree.

“I was glad to be able to celebrate with my husband, colleagues from the Herald and PrimeTime Xpress and friends from the Chamber of Commerce. Without all of their support and friendship, this would not have been possible,” she said.

“I’ve been a member of the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce for 12 years and feel proud to be part of a dedicated group of volunteers and an active community organization,” Resnick added.

Many elected officials and high-profile Long Islanders attended the breakfast. In remarks that followed introductions by E. Christopher Murray, president of the Nassau council, County Executive Ed Mangano, Sen. Dean Skelos, Rep. Gary Ackerman, Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz and New York Power Authority Chairman Richard Kessel each touched on current legislative issues of concern to the chambers’ members — the real property tax burden; downtown redevelopment; the MTA Payroll Tax; utility costs; transportation; the Hub development; the cost of health insurance and government accountability.