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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Chamber serves local business interests before municipal, town and county government and beyond. It lends its support -- both financial and otherwise -- to many worthy causes. It publicly recognizes in its ranks and in others who serve the community, at its annual dinner dance, at its monthly luncheons, and with the Nassau Council of Chambers The Freeport Chamber of Commerce serves an educational function, bringing speakers on business-releated topics to its members. Village officials are also frequent visitors, keeping the Chamber and its members up-to-date on its progress and taking its suggestions back to Village Hall. The Chamber regularly sponsors forums featuring candidates for local elective posts. Most of all, the Chamber is proud to spread the word about the Freeport community, and to be an integral part of it. Call 223-8840 if you have any questions. A Testimonial to Raymond F. Maguire, President of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce - 1995-97 Retiring President, Raymond F. Maguire was duly honored for his outstanding two years as president of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce 1995-97. As a former fire chief and active member of the Freeport Volunteer Fire Department, Ray knows firsthand the meaning of dedication to the community. When he was sworn in as president in 1995, he pledged to reach out to civic and community organizations in Freeport and bring them closer together to better serve the community. One of his first big projects as president was to promote economic development. A reception was sponsored by the Freeport Chamber of Commerce at the Montauk Yacht Club for the Long Island Business Development Councils Annual Conference. The Chamber of Commerce hosted the attendees of the conference with terrific results. The feedback we received was very positive and was instrumental in opening lines of communications with developers. In trying to gain better exposure for the chamber office, Ray oversaw a move to Woodcleft Ave. which not only exposed us to more pedestrian traffic, but was more economical. Ray formulated a number of activities including the successful, "Take A Kid To Lunch Program," which sponsors four children per month to join with the chamber at our luncheons. This program has proven to be very positive and has brought the Chamber of Commerce and the school district closer together. Ray was also involved in recognizing the participants of the French Exchange Program which is in its 10th year. A proud moment for Ray was hosting a luncheon for the Little League team who won the Long Island Championship. Also in the interest of safety, Ray has been working toward a bicycle helmet program. Ray was instrumental in setting up a legislative committee to have input into the master plan of the village as well as meeting with the mayor and various department heads to try to work toward a better community. As a waterfront community, we know our vulnerability to natural disasters. Ray was responsible in having the chamber sponsor an emergency procedure brochure which was sent out to all residents and businesses in the village to outline steps they can take to prepare and protect themselves from an impending storm. This year the chamber sponsored a map of the village highlighting businesses in town. The map has been placed in various tourist areas and has been circulated throughout Long Island and the State of New York to promote visits to Freeport by tourist coming to Long Island. Part of the program of promoting tourism is being anchored by the new Seaport Museum which the Chamber of Commerce actively supported during its infant stages. Ray was successful in promoting the Chamber of Commerce which created an influx of new members and encouraged new directors to come on board and join with us to help the chamber grow. Another accomplishment of Ray's years as president is our monthly luncheons. To date, we are averaging 40-60 people at each luncheon which is a terrific achievement. He also organized joint picnics and holiday parties with the Exchange Club, Kiwanis Club, and other groups to bring them closer together and work for a common cause. We were also involved in a major fund-raising effort for the Kelly Dolan fund which is something that is near and dear to all Freeporters. This year the Freeport Chamber of Commerce reached out to the Hispanic community by offering a director's seat to the Freeport Hispanic Association. Ray also organized an adult education class titled Spanish for Business to help communicate with Spanish speaking customers. A big thank you has to go to Ray's beautiful wife Michele and his two children Raymond and Christine, for the sacrifices they made during the time that Ray was fulfilling his responsibilities and obligations as president. All in all, Ray has had a very successful two years as president and has moved the Chamber in a positive direction. The Chamber of Commerce is proud to have had Ray as our president and look forward to his continued support and guidance. Autobiography of Edward L. Friedman Born there on Dec. 22, 1938, to Abraham and Miriam Friedman, Ed worked at a variety of jobs - including picking tobacco - while a student at William H. Hall High School. Then it was off to the University of Hartford and a major in business administration. His brother Buzz and his parents still reside in the West Hartford area. From college, Ed went to work for the Grand Union Company, where he remained for 13 years, beginning his career as dairy manager and then moving on to their Grand Way Stores Division as director of credit sales. He moved on to Spartan Atlantic Department Stores in New York City, as director of leased department and credit sales and was eventually transferred to Spartan's parent company, Arlen Realty Corp. as a project manager. Some years later, Ed was transferred to their Chattanooga, Tennessee Division, as a leasing and management representative for shopping centers for Arlen's New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania/Connecticut shopping centers. Ed then worked for E.J. Korvette (also a division of Arlen) as director of real estate, a post he held for 10 years until the company's demise. Ed became vice president of shopping centers and industrial parks for Smith Barney Real Estate Corporation, remaining with them for six years. At this point, Ed thought it would be nice to go out on his own. As a result, we've known him for the past 10 years as the owner of Atlantic Bayview Wines and Liquors. Experienced as he is in so many facets of business, Ed has many other sides as well. When he lived in New Jersey, he was involved in sports car rallies and time trials. He is also a downhill skiing and boating enthusiast. Ed served in the US Army Reserve for seven years. Ed's first aid and rescue service began 25 years ago with his continuing service to the Highland Park (New Jersey) First Aid Squad. He was captain for two years, and president of HPFAS for 14 years, served as a CPR instructor for the American Heart Association in New Jersey, and also served as chairman of the 14th District, New Jersey State First Aid Council. A high priority in Ed's life now is his involvement with the Freeport Fire Department, where he is a member of Emergency Rescue Company #9 and holds the position of company secretary. He has received numerous EMS awards from Highland Park and the FFD, and was recently awarded the Town of Hempstead Firematic Service Award. During Ed's tenure with the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, he has held the positions of treasurer and second and third vice president. He received the Business Person of the Year Award from the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. He worked on the canoe races and annual Pot of Gold raffles, and has served as dinner-dance journal chairman for the past two years. Ed is currently vice commodore of the Salty Bay Yacht Club and a captain of Operation SPLASH. Ed met Elaine in 1970. They married in 1982 and presently reside in Baldwin. They have two children, Toni and Richard. Toni recently married Cary Reynolds in Las Vegas and the young couple lives in Chandler, Arizona. The Friedmans' son Richard will marry Sherri Crowley this July. Freeport Chamber of Commerce Members Directors * Indicates past president |
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