By Dana Klosner-Wehner
“I know I have a proactive board that is concerned about assisting all the business in Franklin Square to accomplish their goals in this hard economic climate,” said Seifert, who will take over as president in January. “We have a great mix of businesses represented on the board for 2009. They’re going to bring experience, enthusiasm and leadership to our members.”
The chamber elected its new officers and board of directors at a meeting at Filomena’s restaurant Nov. 19.
Frank Cutolo has stepped down as president after six terms on the job. He will be second vice president come January. “My job takes me out of state a lot,” Cutolo said, explaining that he wouldn’t be able to make it to all the meetings. “We all work for the same goal – to promote the business and economy of the town. It’s a very vibrant organization that does a lot of good for the town, along with the businesses.”
The new third vice president, Vincent Giordano, has been a chamber member for 15 years. He says that being in the chamber gives his business, Tulip Caterers, more visibility. “The main thing is, if you’re not out there, out of sight out of mind,” Giordano said. “There are a lot of different good deeds the chamber does. Like giving environmental bags to new residents. They are welcome bags that are environmentally safe, that are filled with coupons to different stores.”
Giordano sees a bright future for Franklin Square. “I would like to see a continued effort to keep the sidewalks and streets cleaned,” he said. “I would like to see all the stores being rented.”
The new fourth vice president, Frank Francia, owner of Cartridge World, has been a chamber member for five years. All of the officers do a good job of helping the chamber grow, Francia said. “We get more and more businesses to get involved and join,” he said.
Francia, a retired New York City police detective, said he likes to see the stores keep their areas clean. “My pet peeve is garbage,” he said. “I involve myself personally in things that bother me. We all seem to do that, and we help each other get things done.”
The new second vice president, Bruno M. Caracciolo co-owner of Franklin Funeral Home, was unavailable for comment.
The new treasurer is Pat Savella, owner of Avanti Window Fashions, and the new secretary is Lisa Dellipizzi, a real estate agent with Realty Executives West.
The new board of directors includes Joseph Ardito, a partner in the law firm Ardito & Ardito; Maria Caliendo, owner of Prince Umberto’s Restaurant; Bruno V. Caracciolo, co-owner of Franklin Funeral Home; Ronnie Cione, owner of Ronnie’s Hardware; Carla Cohen, owner of the Bulletin newspaper; Scott Horowitz, manager of TD Bank; Patrice Maresca-Sehne, owner of My Comfy Pet; Joe Ruscillo, owner of Star Auto Glass, and Mike Sacco, owner of Best Beepers and Cellular.
Being a member of the chamber is a great networking opportunity, Seifert said. “In these faltering economic times it is more important than ever to network,” she said. “A new business owner asks an existing business owner, ‘How do I market my business and let others know who I am and what I do?’ Each and every business owner says, ‘Join the chamber of commerce.’ I would like to invite each and every business to join the chamber and become a partner in continuing to keep Franklin Square strong, alive and open to continued growth in commerce.”
The chamber is partnering with the Lions Club to sponsor a holiday toy drive through Dec. 10. New, unwrapped toys for infants on up to 16-year-olds old can be brought to 114 New Hyde Park Road in Franklin Square between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please do not leave packages outside. Questions can be directed to Bob Diehl at (516) 354-4190. All toys are donated to the Interfaith Nutrition Network.
For more information or to join the Chamber of Commerce, go to shopthesquare.org or call (516) 775-0001.
Comments about this story? Contact John O’Connell at joconnell@liherald.com
