Gary Bretton has been elected the new president of the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, replacing Dennis Brady.

Bretton moves into the spot from vice-president, a post he held for nine years after helping to found the organization with Brady and others. For that reason, Bretton noted in an interview this week, he feels quite familiar with the chamber, and comfortable in his new position.

"We accomplished a lot under Dennis' reign. We're just looking to do the same good job that he did," he said, describing a sense of unity in the chamber that he thinks will continue. "When you're part of a team, it doesn't matter what your position is. We're all a team. No one's any better. He was a good president; I hope to be a good president."

Bretton was elected two months ago, after Brady's term expired and he decided not to run for re-election. Under the new president's leadership, the chamber's main goal will be to further promote Bethpage's businesses, Bretton noted.

"We're a team. We really want a team effort for the community. That's what we're looking for....We're trying to build up better public relations with the merchants. What we want to do now is really build up the merchants," he said, noting that he will build on the strides that Brady has already made in this area. "We're just trying to get more involved, trying to get more members, and trying to get more people to the meetings."

Linda Mangano, another long-time mover and shaker for the chamber, has moved into the position of vice-president. The other board members, who are also veterans of Bethpage Chamber of Commerce leadership are: Sal Greco, Noel Greco, Carole Ann Catapano, Bill Nimmo, John Ambrosio and Frank Camerlengo. Nassau Legislator Edward Mangano, Linda's husband and a Bethpage businessowner, is also a strong supporter of the organization.

"I still have a good board, and that's the key. The board members and the merchants are the key," said Bretton.

Among the events the chamber is planning to sponsor in upcoming months are:

* The Annual Fair, which will be held Aug. 6-7, and usually attracts between 15,000 and 20,000 people;

* Bretton's Bowl, an annual charity football event that will be held in December.

The chamber's annual golf outing was held last Monday, July 19, and was organized by Matthew Silver. According to Bretton, the event, which raises funds for the organization's community activities, was a success because of the teamwork that went into it.

The new head of the chamber, who owns Bretton's Deli on Broadway, has vast experience in the Bethpage community. In addition to being the organizer of Bretton's Bowl, he works with local youth through such programs as a new teen recreation center sponsored by Nassau County Police. Bretton is the coordinator of the program, which is open to youth ages 13 to 19 two nights per week throughout the summer, and will take place at the community center on Hazel Street, Bethpage.

In keeping with the chamber's goal of promoting Bethpage businesses, key issues of importance to the group are: continued beautification of the downtown, the ongoing re-development of the Grumman property, and ways to harness the tourist dollars expected to be drawn by the upcoming U.S. Open 2002, set to take place at Bethpage State Park. The chamber plans to work in conjunction with the Bethpage Community Council on plans for the U.S. Open, Bretton noted, adding that the Community Council has already begun organizing for the event.

Bretton is optimistic about this and other endeavors the chamber will undertake under his stewardship.

"It's a great organization. We just want to get more merchants involved, more people to come to meetings to express themselves. And we would like to see what they would like to do, and work together," he said, noting that the biggest challenge for the group is generating more customers for downtown merchants.

He added that unity is key for small downtown areas such the one in Bethpage because "there is strength in numbers."

"The more people with good ideas, the more we're going to help each other," Bretton said. "It's like a roller coaster effect. Once you start going, you keep going."