Freeport Chamber Newsletter 03-14

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"The Eyes, Ears and the Heart of Freeport"
The Freeporter
Official Publication of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce
www.freeportchamberofcommerce.com
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Save The Dates:
Number 4
April%4,%2014%(Friday)%
Annual%Installa0on%Dinner%
Dance%7:00pm%@%The%Coral%House%
April%8,%2014%(Tuesday)%
Luncheon%12:30pm%@%OVo’s%Sea%
Grill.%Guest%Speaker:%Jon%Kaiman%
Governor’s%Office%of%Storm%Recovery%
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May%13,%2014%(Tuesday)%%
Luncheon%12:30pm%@%Wildfish%
Guest%Speaker:%Dr.%Kishore%%
Kuncham%Supt.%Freeport%Schools%
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June%10,%2014%(Tuesday)%
Luncheon%12:30pm%@%EB%Elliot’s%
Guest%Speaker:%Andrea%Rothchild%
Newsday%Connect%Team%of%
Digital%Marke0ng%
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July%5,%2014%(Saturday)%
Annual%Fire%Works%Show%
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August%18,%2014%(Monday)%
16th%Annual%Golf%Classic%@%the%%
Lawrence%Yacht%&%Country%Club%
The Freeporter
Official Publication of the
Freeport Chamber of Commerce
300 Woodcleft Ave.
Freeport, NY 11520
516.223.8840
Charles Hirschberg
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March 2014
From The Presidents Desk
SAVE%THE%DATES%
President
Fabulous Freeport
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Mincher Printing
Design & Production
Maureen Mercogliano
Office Manager
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Hello%Freeport.%As%we%con0nue%to%dig%out%from%
Sandy%both%on%the%Nau0cal%Mile%and%around%
town,%I%am%reminded%all%the%0me%by%the%efforts%
of%one%of%our%local%groups,%the%Friends%of%
Freeport%in%their%quest%to%rebuild%our%great%
town.%Rich%Cantwell%and%his%wonderful%team%of%
volunteers%have%worked%nonFstop%since%the%
Charles Hirschberg
storm%helping%whoever%needed%rebuilding%aGer%
President
the%worst%disaster%ever%to%hit%our%small%
community.%That%is%why%I%am%happy%to%say%that%
we,%the%Chamber,%will%be%honoring%both%the%Friends%of%Freeport%and%
Ben%Jackson%from%Ben’s%General%Contrac0ng,%for%their%outstanding%
contribu0ons%to%the%Village.%I%am%asking%everyone%to%please%join%us%
Friday,%April%4th%at%the%Coral%House%to%celebrate%and%applaud%the%
great%efforts%of%our%two%honorees.%Also%on%the%agenda%that%night%is%
the%reFinstalla0on%of%our%officers%and%installa0on%of%our%newest%one,%
Jenny%Jorge%from%Compare%Foods.%Jenny%follows%in%the%footsteps%of%
her%dad,%Francisco,%who%was%a%past%president.%Compare%has%always%
been%there%for%us%during%every%crisis%in%town%with%dona0ons%and%
help.%We%welcome%her%to%the%board.%
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Also,%I%have%to%take%note%of%the%many%projects%happening%around%
town.%On%the%waterfront%we%have%a%totally%new%venue%in%the%planning%
stages%for%the%old%Schooner%property.%It%is%going%to%be%a%catering%hall%
and%restaurant.%Up%on%the%highway%the%Mayor%is%geTng%back%offers%
to%develop%the%large%vacant%property%that%has%the%bank%building%on%it.%
Plus%they%are%looking%into%several%other%areas%to%develop%and%bring%
new%businesses%to%our%Village.%So,%in%all,%I%have%to%say%we%are%on%a%
roll.%Freeport%is%looking%beVer%and%beVer%each%day.%The%fes0val%is%
back%and%we,%the%Chamber,%are%so%proud%of%our%Fireworks%show%and%
expect%that%to%grow%each%year.%Looking%forward%to%the%spring%aGer%
this%really%harsh%winter.%If%you%have%any%comments%or%ques0ons,%
make%sure%you%contact%the%Chamber%office%and%we%will%get%back%to%
you.%Make%sure%you%take%out%an%ad%and%buy%some%0ckets%today%to%our%
annual%installa0on%dinner%too.%
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GRAND&OPENING&RIBBON&CUTTINGS&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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Chamber%Directors%and%town%officials%help%owners%Robert%and%Amelia%Mannino%celebrate%the%Grand%Opening%
of%Mannino’s%Bagel%&%Bakery%on%Atlan0c%Ave.%Pictured%from%leG%are,%John%M.%Nuzzi,%Sr.,%Treasurer,%Ivan%
Sayles,%Execu0ve%Secretary,%Larry%Grebinar,%3rd%Vice%President,%%George%Chacon,%Director,%Leg.%Dave%
Denenberg,%Charlie%Hirschberg,%%Chamber%President,%Trustee,%Bill%White,%the%Mannino%family,%Mayor%Robert%
Kennedy,%Supervisor%Kate%Murray,%Councilwoman%Angie%Cullin,%Lois%Howes,1st%Vice%President%and%Paul%
Eberst,%Director.%
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FREEPORT CHAMBER HAS A NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS
The%Freeport%Chamber%of%Commerce%has%a%new%website%address.%We%are%now%
FREEPORTCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE.ORG,%no%longer,%.com.%Please%visit%us%oGen%
so%as%to%be%kept%apprised%of%any%new%pos0ngs%and%upcoming%events.%
Addi0onally,%any%member%wishing%to%link%their%business%with%the%Chambers%
website%may%do%so.%Please%call%the%Chamber%office%for%more%informa0on.%
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REAL ESTATE NEWS
by: Carol Sparaco
!Long Island's housing inventory dropped over 12% in the final quarter of
2013 from the same period in 2012, a good sign the market is
improving. The drop in available properties as well as an across-theboard rise in prices represent a healthy growth in the market. Even the
storm-damaged South Shore of Nassau County showed a fourth quarter
increase of 1.7% on the median closed sales price from the year before
and an increase of 48% in sales. To continue this upward trend, recent changes to legislation ending the
long-running practice of allowing sellers to pass along grandfathered
flood-insurance subsidies to buyers when they sell their homes must be
rolled back. The 2012 legislation kicked in in late 2013 and has hurt real
estate values of houses located in the flood plain by raising flood
insurance coverage by thousands of dollars. Many insurance companies
now require an Elevation Certificate which can cost $500-$600 before
they will quote a premium. The first hurdle to return the subsidies to
flood insurance policies was passed recently by the Senate but this
legislation should be watched closely on what many feel is an uphill
battle. !
As merchants on the Nautical Mile, we all know this
winter has been a long, cold and hard. But as always, spring
comes, the days get longer and the hardships of winter fade to
memory as it gets warmer. But this winter’s hardships will not
fade as fast as the spring warms, because this winter we lost
two very special people who blessed the Nautical Mile with
their character and charisma. Arnim Jagnow and Michael
Gross.
When I bought the Texas Ranger in 1996, there was no EB
Elliot’s and no Tropix, I can’t even remember if the Captain
Lou had a Roman numeral after it and if you wanted to hear
outdoor live music on the waterfront the only place to go was
Otto’s.
Otto’s pioneered what I call “The Nautical Mile Long Bar.” An outdoor bar with a
kitchen at one end and a long bar running out from it. A setup which can now be seen
not only at Otto’s, but Tides and EB Elliot’s as well. So much has changed on the Mile
since then and so much of that change can be attributed to these two wonderful men.
The first I consider a founding father of the modern Nautical Mile, and the second a
carrier of the torch of expansion and modernization.
Arnim came to America from Germany in 1952 at age 21, to work for Otto, the
owner of Otto’s Sea Grill. Otto and his daughter, Barbara, went to meet Arnim at the
boat when he arrived. Apparently it was love at first sight as Arnim and Barbara eloped
two years later. Arnim being a butcher by trade had opened up his dream of a butcher
shop known as Butcher Boy's Pride on Merrick Road in the late 60s, across from
Domino’s Pizza at the site of Casanova meats. Otto died in 1972 followed by his wife
six years later. Arnim then sold his butcher shop to run Otto’s with his wife Barbara
making it bigger and better than ever. It was his vision to turn the Rose garden into the
first clam bar on the Nautical Mile and then added outdoor music in the early 80's. It
was a hit!! People loved it and now there is hardly a restaurant or bar on the Mile that
does not have live music.
Arnim and Barbara were happily married for 58 years succeeding in marriage as
well as business. This April would have marked Arnim’s 85th birthday as well as the
85th anniversary of Otto’s.
Michael grew up in Bellrose, Queens and started working on fishing boats in 1979
with his lifelong friend, Mike Danon. He eventually bought his own boat, the Captain
Gary, which he ran for some time then sold it and went to work for the Captain Lou
with Mike Danon. Later, both Michaels, along with other partners, bought the first
dinner cruise boat on the south shore naming it The Lady Edna after Edna Beitterick
who owned the Poop Deck at the head of the Nautical Mile. With Mike Gross and
Mike Danon at the helm their new venture, Sunset Cruises pioneered the dinner cruise
industry on Long Island, eventually expanding its fleet with the Nautical Princess as
well as two paddle boats. In the late 80’s, Mike met his wife Christelle right on
Woodcleft Avenue at the former Captain Steve’s. After taking over the Poop Deck,
Mike and Mike along with Peter Clavin knocked it down and in 2004 they opened EB
Elliot’s. Being in the footprint of the Poop Deck, they named EB's after its former
owner. EB Elliot’s was the first of the modern restaurants on the Nautical Mile and set
the bar on decor and quality for others to follow.
Michael became active as a director in the Freeport Chamber of Commerce and
started the first mini golf tournament for breast cancer right on the mile.
Both men were as different as the countries of their birth but so similar in their
determination and innovation. Entrepreneurs to the core they leave behind their legacy
on the Nautical Mile. While building their professional careers they both found time
for family, time to be loving fathers and husbands. Arnim with his daughter Ilona and
Mike with his daughters with Britney and Courtney.
Armin I will remember the stories you used to tell me with your bright smile of
enthusiasm and Michael I will remember how we would gravitate toward each other in
a room and engage in deep conversations. I will never forget the sounds of your
laughter. Between the two of you and your combined 80 plus years on the Nautical
Mile I have no doubt that you have put one million smiles on one million faces.
Gentlemen thanks you for that and thank you for being a part of my life and the lives
of so many others. You will be missed.
FREEPORT CHAMBER DECORATES
The Freeport Chamber of Commerce is the sponsor of the holiday decorations that line
the streets throughout the Village of Freeport. Chamber Director, Les Endo, is pictured
here with his family. From left are: Les, little Kenny, Jennifer Logan, Ken, Leanna and
Joe Pignatano, Les, Jr., Kim, Marianne and Justin who was home on military leave from
the Army.
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Welcome New Members:
Linda Cullin, Express Restoration, 200 W. Sunrise Hwy. Freeport
Anthony Musto, Crosstown Realty, 29-27 41st Ave. Long Island City
Louis Ciangiulli, Columbia Chemical Corp. 281 S. Ocean Ave. Freeport
Bob Solomon, Herald Freeport Leader, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City
George Schultz, Spirit Sky, 106 Woodcleft Ave. Freeport
Dr. Marc Jarmolow, Herrmann Dental, 268 W. Merrick Rd. Freeport
Amy Golan, Retro Fitness, 131 W. Sunrise Hwy. Freeport
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RACHEL’S WATERSIDE GRILL VISITS THE WOODWARD CHILDREN’S CENTER
Ivan%Sayles,%owner%of%
Rachel’s%Waterside%Grill,%and%
Chamber%Execu0ve%Secretary,%
has%been%volunteering%his%
0me%at%the%Woodward%
Children’s%Center%on%a%weekly%
basis%to%share%his%culinary%
skills%with%the%children%in%
their%cooking%classes.%
Assis0ng%Ivan%(to%his%right)%is%
Morgan%Dillon,%VP%of%
Marke0ng%at%Rachel’s.%
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A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Since%becoming%Mayor%almost%a%year%ago,%one%of%my%main%priori0es%was%to%ins0ll%the%
importance%of%fiscal%responsibility%within%every%department.%Freeport’s%government%
must%be%accountable%for%expenditures,%paying%our%invoices%on%0me%to%avoid%interest%
and%fees,%reassessing%all%of%our%current%contracts,%and%planning%ahead%for%any%
unforeseen%circumstances.%%%
For%the%last%11%months,%I’ve%seen%Freeport%evolve%from%one%of%it%bleakest%natural%
disasters%by%people%dedicated%to%helping%each%other%and%having%reliable%leadership%to%
support%those%s0ll%in%need%of%help.%%%
Together%with%the%department%heads,%we%were%able%to%establish%a%fiscally%responsible%
spending%plan%in%the%new%zeroFtaxFincrease%budget.%We%have%shown%significant%savings%
simply%by%renego0a0ng%and%rebidding%our%long%standing%contracts.%%We%also%sought%
out%ways%to%increase%nonFtax%revenues%throughout%our%Village%so%that%Freeport%could%
operate%without%solely%relying%on%property%tax%revenues.%%%%
We%recently%closed%on%the%sale%of%the%lot%at%the%corner%of%Henry%St.%and%S.%Main%St.,%as%
well%as%Lot%#15%on%Albany%Ave.%By%disposing%of%surplus%Village%property,%we%
immediately,%and%over%the%long%term,%increase%revenues.%This%is%accomplished%by%
having%these%proper0es%back%on%the%tax%rolls%and%by%no%longer%being%responsible%for%
their%maintenance.%%%
By%upgrading%budgetary%accountability%and%returning%these%proper0es%to%the%tax%rolls,%
the%impact%to%our%annual%budget%has%been%posi0ve.%With%the%projected%
redevelopment%of%the%Meadowbrook%Bank%property%on%Sunrise%Highway%and%
marke0ng%plans%for%our%industrial%park%area,%we%are%hoping%to%con0nue%to%increase%
the%growth%of%the%commercial%tax%base.%%%
As%you%know,%the%rehabilita0on%of%the%Nau0cal%Mile%has%restored%and%renewed%our%
main%tourism%vein.%We%are%taking%a%few%steps%towards%reorganizing%parking%condi0ons%
in%the%areas%surrounding%WoodcleG%Ave.,%beginning%with%the%installa0on%of%the%MuniF
Meters%to%establish%0me%limits%for%visitors.%This%will%allow%parking%to%constantly%
turnover.%We’ve%also%addressed%the%concern%of%our%WoodcleG%business%owners%by%
removing%these%parking%restric0ons%during%the%winter%to%allow%ongoing%visitors%to%
patronize%these%establishments%during%the%winter%months.%%%
We%con0nue%to%pursue%grant%money%for%infrastructure%improvements%in%the%Village.%
Soon%you%will%no0ce%the%bulkhead%at%Waterfront%Park%being%replaced%and%a%kayak%
ramp%installa0on.%This%area%will%hook%up%to%the%Blueway%Trail%project.%Roadwork%will%
resume%as%soon%as%weather%permits.%We%an0cipate%a%bumper%crop%of%pot%holes%to%
repair%this%year%as%well.%Please%contact%the%Department%of%Public%Works%to%register%any%
dangerous%road%condi0ons.%%%
I%will%con0nue%to%work%with%the%Civic%Associa0ons%and%the%Chamber%of%Commerce%to%
address%any%concerns.%The%Quality%of%Life%mee0ngs%will%s0ll%be%available%every%
Tuesday.%The%partnerships%we%began%last%year%will%help%us%build%a%beVer%Freeport%for%
all%four%quadrants.%%I%look%forward%to%the%year%ahead.%
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NCCC SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Ivan Sayles, Executive Secretary and owner
of Rachel’s Waterside Grill was honored by
the Nassau Council of Chambers of
Commerce as Small Business Person of the
Year from Freeport at the Crest Hollow
Country Club last October. Pictured with
him from left are, Paul Eberst, Director,
Morgan Dillon, Steve Rhodes, Greg Ingino,
Director, County Executive Ed Mangano,
Lois Howes, 1st Vice President, Les Endo,
Director, Jessica Asch, Edward Heslin, and
Nilka Hendricks.
Luncheons
November&
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Deputy Mayor, Carmen Pineyro, was the guest speaker at the November luncheon held at
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EB Elliot’s. Pictured with her from left are, Ivan Sayles, Executive Secretary, John M.
Nuzzi, Sr., Treasurer, Charlie Hirschberg, Chamber President, Joe Gentry, 2nd Vice
President, Lois Howes, 1st Vice President, and Larry Grebinar, 3rd Vice President.
December&
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Ray Maguire, Executive Director of the Freeport Fire Dept. was the guest speaker at the
December luncheon held at Otto’s. Pictured with him from left are, John M. Nuzzi, Sr.
Treasurer, Lois Howes, 1st Vice President, Charlie Hirschberg, Chamber President, and
Joe Gentry, 2nd Vice President.
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January&
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Leg, Dave Denenberg was the guest speaker at the January luncheon held @ Rachel’s
Waterside Grill. Pictured with him from left are, Larry Grebinar, 3rd Vice President, Lois
Howes, 1st Vice President, Charlie Hirschberg, Chamber President, Ivan Sayles, Executive
Secretary, and Joe Gentry, 2nd Vice President.
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Luncheons
February&
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Joe Madigan, Supt. of Buildings was the guest speaker at the January luncheon held at
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EB Elliot’s. Pictured with him from left are, Ivan Sayles, Executive Secretary, Lois
Howes, 1st Vice President, and Larry Grebinar, 3rd Vice President
March
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Freeport’s Mayor, Hon. Robert T. Kennedy, was the guest speaker at the March luncheon
held at Rachel’s Waterside Grill. Pictured with him from left are Joe Gentry, 2nd Vice
President, Lois Howes, 1st Vice President, Ivan Sayles, Executive Secretary, Charlie
Hirschberg, Chamber President, and Larry Grebinar, 3rd Vice President.
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ANNUAL INSTALLATION DINNER DANCE
The Freeport Chamber of Commerce will be holding their annual Installation Dinner
Dance on Friday, April 4, 2014 at the Coral House in Baldwin. This year’s honorees will
be, as “Citizens of the Year”, Friends of Freeport, and as “Business Person of the Year”,
Ben Jackson, of Ben’s General Contracting. We will be re-installing the following slate
of officers, Charlie Hirschberg as President, Lois Howes as 1st Vice President, Joseph
Gentry as 2nd Vice President, Ivan Sayles as 3rd Vice President, John M. Nuzzi, Sr. as
Treasurer and Jenny Jorge as Executive Secretary. The cocktail hour begins @ 7:00pm
followed by the installation and dinner. For ticket information please call the Chamber
office @ 223-8840.
APPLICATION & AGREEMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP!
IN THE FREEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE!
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As a member, I agree to the principles and obligations of
membership in the Freeport Chamber of Commerce.
ANNUAL DUES: Please select the appropriate box and submit this
application and check (marked "Dues") to the address below.!
Gross Sales up to:! ❑ $500,000!..............................................$150.00!
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❑ $500,000 to $5,000,000!.......................$250.00!
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❑ Over $5,000,000!..................................$350.00!
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❑ Banks and National Chains!..................$500.00
Name:! ____________________________Title:! _______________!
Home Address! _______________________________________!
Business/Organization Name:!______________________________!
City :!____________________State:! ________Zip:!__________!
Address:! ______________________________________________!
Home Tel:!___________________________________________!
City :! ______________________State:! _______Zip:!___________!
Recommended by:!____________________________________!
E-Mail Address:!_________________________________________!
Business Tel:!____________________Fax:! ___________________!
Principal Officers:! _______________________________________!
Type of Business:! _______________________________________!
Product or Service:! ______________________________________!
Number of Employees:!___________________________________
Freeport Chamber of Commerce
300 Woodcleft Avenue
Freeport, NY 11510
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I would like to participate in Chamber Functions:
❑ Yes
I would like to serve on Chamber Committees: ❑ Yes
❑ No!
❑ No!
THE FREEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE!
300 WOODCLEFT AVENUE!
FREEPORT, NY 11520!
TEL: 223-8840 FAX: 223-1211!
www.freeportchamber.org
PRST. STD!
US Postage!
PAID!
Permit # 707!
Freeport, NY