By Carrie James
This year's event at the Westbury Manor was no exception. Roughly 180 people turned out to see the new slate of chamber officers and board of directors installed, to thank last year's leadership team and to honor Man of the Year Gary Hudes, a Hempstead Town councilman.
It was a night filled with well wishes and thank yous, as civic leader after public official took the lectern to give out awards and install the new panel of officers and the chamber's Board of Directors.
Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell spoke for everyone in the room when she thanked last year's President James Skinner for a job well done.
In the past year as president, Skinner has seen the Town Square project come to fruition, the revamping of the organization's Web site and the community come together to raise $25,000 for the Sept. 11 tragedy.
Next, Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara swore in the new board of directors, which Skinner will chair. The other board members include Marilyn Bunshaft, Christopher Hackert, Ken Klein, Lawrence Lambroia, Dr. Richard Meoli, Stephanie Murphy, Barry Roberts, Delores Rome, Steve Sachs, Frank Saracino, Mike Shannon, Walter Skinner and Lynn-Anne Spitzer.
County Legis. Norma Gonsalves had the honor of swearing in officers Alan Hodish, first vice president; John Tufarelli, second vice president; Brandon Bloom, treasurer; and John Arigo, secretary.
Finally, former Hempstead Presiding Supervisor Gregory Peterson swore in this year's Chamber President Warren Kalmenson, who all wished well and said they knew would do a great job during the coming year.
Kalmenson, who worked his way through chamber ranks, will see the completion of the Town Square project and hopes to bring more business to East Meadow, as well as get people to patronize local businesses already in the community.
