By Scott Brinton
Walter Mintz and Sue Dillon, both of Merrick, were named the Man and Woman of the Year. Mintz, who was an international steel trader for 40 years, has served on the Merrick Library Board for 17 years, and was board president when the Merrick Library was recently razed and rebuilt. All referred to Mintz as a gentleman, and as a loving husband to his wife of 39 years, Sandra; father to Richard, Peter and Carol; and grandfather.
Dillon is a retired teacher who now works for the county. For years she was active in Merrick and Central High School District PTAs. She was awarded the New York State PTA Lifetime Membership at Chatterton Elementary School. Most recently, she served as the Merrick Library Board vice president during construction of the new facility.
Dillon and her husband, Marty, are active members of the Merrick Kiwanis Club. They love spending time with family, including their daughter, Eleanor, and son-in-law, Dan Petrigrow, and three grandchildren, Samara, Michaela and Talia.
Both Dillon and Mintz acknowledged the hard work of the other three members of the library board, MeMe Wanderman, Laura Cody and Tim Whalen, and accepted their honors on behalf of the entire board.
The Chamber of Commerce also installed its new slate of officers. The executive board includes Marian Fraker-Gutin of Mary Elmore Realty, chamber president; Ira Reiter of Merrick Dodge, vice president; Randy Shotland of New York Life Insurance, vice president; Julie Marchesella of Queen of Hearts, treasurer; Susan Helsinger of Custom South Shore Realty, secretary.
The board comprises: Margaret Cincotta of the North Merrick Library, Richard Dasch, CPA, Carmen Di Bartolomeo of the Merrick Community Nursery School, Ilene Dixel of the Merrick Herald, Ellen Firer of the Merrick Library, Carmela Lage, Sunshine chairwoman, Richard Lawrence, Family Court judge, Kelly Leung of What's N Store, David McDonough of Graydon Associates, Dr. Kathleen Meyer, O.D., Douglas Mills of Printing Emporium, Mal Markowitz of Malmar Electric, Margaret Mueller of R.S. Jones Restaurant, Lois Roos of Merrick Life, Fran Santacapita of Remax, Sally Tilles of Curves of Merrick, Linda Toscano of L&M Publications, Barbara Traugot of B.T. Financial Services and Salvatore Vassallo of the Vassallo Insurance Agency.
