Chamber Unveils New 'Partner Programs'

At the Chamber of Commerce's kickoff breakfast, members and guests heard Chamber Executive Vice President Bert Donley (Garden City Properties) outline various new services the Chamber is providing to meet the needs of its members and the community-at-large.

Services provided by the Chamber's new "Partner Program" to date, are payroll services by PBI Payroll; investment services by Smith Barney and Paine Webber; health insurance through the Nassau County Council of Chambers for four-to-50 person group plans, which gives every employee-participant six companies from which to choose; fiber-optic Internet access by IDP Customer Services, Inc.; web page development by Primrose Softwear Solutions, Inc.; and services by the County Seat Transportation Management Association to work with companies and employees to lessen vehicle congestion by implementing alternative commuting options such as telecommuting and ride-matching.

In clarifying the role and the goals of the Chamber, Mr. Donley said that since collectively, Chamber members represent a very diverse group of merchants, corporations, professionals, service providers, civic members and civic organizations, individual interests do not always align. The guiding principle of the Chamber Board of Directors is to do what is good for the entire Village. "Part of our responsibility is to give voice to the business community where need be; to assist individual members in their dealings with the Village government; and to promote the village as a place to conduct business, to shop and to live," Donley said. He continued, "It was for these reasons that the Chamber took the lead in working with the Village to address the problems in the business districts. This is the first opportunity we have had to provide an update on revitalization efforts and put some of our efforts in perspective. We invite businesses that have a service or commodity and would like to offer it to the Chamber membership to join our Partner Program and give us a call at 746-7724.

Also on the program agenda was an update by Mayor Frank Tauches on current Village issues, including the progress on the Village's Franklin Avenue Beautification Project. Mayor Tauches congratulated the Chamber on the success of its "Fridays on Franklin" band concert series and its many efforts to re-energize the business community through its "Project Garden City" program. Also, several new Chamber members were welcomed.