The Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual multicultural food tasting during its March meeting. Held at Clinton Martin Park, chamber leaders, local business owners and community members gathered to discuss the most recent developments in the town and listen to guest speaker Senator Elaine Phillips.
After opening remarks by Chamber President Jerry Baldassaro, Phillips, representing the Seventh District of the New York State Senate, was welcomed to address the crowd. She briefed attendees on recent happenings within the Senate and how such things pertain to Long Island residents, particularly those who live within incorporated villages such as New Hyde Park.
Much of her discussion was focused on ongoing state budget negotiations, as she discussed the steps that the Senate was taking to help cut taxes for businesses and homeowners, promote economic development and create jobs, all while continuing to control state spending.
“I have been meeting some amazing organizations that do wonderful, heartfelt work for the people of Long Island and the people of New York state,” said Phillips. “I will speak on behalf of the Senate budget, small businesses are our focus and we want to make sure that Long Island is a place where people can afford to live, afford to stay and afford to run a business in.”
Following Phillips’ remarks, guests were allowed to pose questions to the newly elected senator. Concerns ranged from the implementation of the third track, public education, eldercare and water source standards. Phillips assured residents that their questions and concerns are noted and that she will represent their voices to the best of her ability in the upper levels of government.
Baldassaro expressed his satisfaction with Phillips’ dedication to representing Long Island’s incorporated villages, and commended the chamber for allowing New Hyde Park to be a hospitable environment for new and existing businesses.
“My focus for the past year has been making the community aware of businesses that are in our chamber,” said Baldassaro. “I want people to know that the chamber of commerce is more than just a business organization, it’s a business advocacy group that works closely with the community. This chamber, undoubtedly throughout the years, has been probably the most effective and well-received.”
Phillips, who previously served as mayor of the Village of Flower Hill, where she currently resides, shared her appreciation for incorporated villages and her commitment toward preserving the integrity of those within her jurisdiction.
“I went from representing one village, and I believe the Seventh Senate District has 3 villages in it, more than any of the other 62 Senate districts in New York State,” said Phillips. “When running for this seat, one of the things I said to people was that I understand local governments, and the importance of them and how important it is to address individual people’s needs. This is what I care about, getting our tax dollars back to Long Island.”
Once the speaking portion of the meeting came to a close, attendees were treated to a vast selection of multicultural foods from local eateries including Papa Ciro’s, Nova, Iavarone Brothers, Gourmet Bake Shop and Sweet Passion Desserts.
The next meeting of the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce will take place on Thursday, April 20, at the Clubhouse Bar & Grille, located at 377 Denton Ave. in New Hyde Park from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
The luncheon will welcome guest speaker Matthew Rizzo, program manager of Grassroots Environmental Education, an organization with a mission to inform the public about the health risks of common environmental exposures and empower individuals to act as catalysts for change in their own communities.
For more information about the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce and its upcoming events, visit www.nhpchamber.org.
