The Hicksville Chamber of Commerce held its 75th Anniversary Installation Dinner at the Imperial Manor, Bethpage on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

The chamber installed Sam Maruca as its new president, replacing outgoing president Ella Columbo. Also installed under the new slate of officers were Patrick Crowe as vice-president, Robert Stabile as secretary, and Eric Slavsky as treasurer. The board of directors installed is as follows: (terms expiring 2002) Luz Rosenthal, John Giuffre, Steven Kaplan, Billie Hyman, Ella Columbo; (expires 2003) Janet Oddo, Ron Lenneberg, Patricia Geraci, Bill Foley, and Fausta Phalen; (expires 2004) Judy Lombardi, Beth Dalton Costello, Nicholas Brigandi, Mike D'Auria, and Jim Covais.

During the evening's ceremonies, the chamber honored two prominent community members: Ella Columbo, as Small Business Person of the Year, and Bill Bennett, as Citizen of the Year.

Maruca also presented Columbo with a Lenox crystal bowl in appreciation for all the time and effort she dedicated to the chamber, as both vice president and president.

Columbo, the outgoing president who also retired this year from ownership of the Ella Marie School of Dance, expressed much gratitude for the honors bestowed on her.

"I would like to say thank you for making the past four years as your vice-president and president an enjoyable experience," she said.

Maruca described Bennett, as "a deserving person who has participated in the advancement of Hicksville without thinking of any personal gain to himself," and as a "custodian of our hamlet, like a parent guiding and watching over a child."

Bennett, is a decorated U.S. Army Korean War veteran, president of the Hicksville Library Board and director of the Hicksville Gregory Museum.

Bennett thanked the chamber for the honor, and for "the opportunity to work together to help achieve our dreams for a better Hicksville."

Assemblyman Marc Herbst, of Hicksville, described Columbo as a person of great spirit, and Bennett as one of strong conviction. "She has such life and spirit, and has given so much," Herbst said of Columbo. Of Bennett, whom he has known for 20 years, Herbst said, "His conviction, his stance, he has always stuck to it. That's a service, and a role model for me in public life."

As the business community gathered to honor its outstanding community members, celebrate its accomplishments, and look to the future under new leadership, the group was ever mindful of the September 11th tragedy.

Speakers reflected on the tragic losses suffered, and remarked on the important role of the local business community in the American response to the attack. "The past two weeks have brought our nation closer together. We are determined to be strong and show the world what America is all about," said Columbo.

"We as business people have to show we care about the community our business is in, as well as the area we live in, because we spend as much time at our business as we do at home," she added. "The example we set now will determine what the young people will do in the future. If they see understanding and caring, hopefully they will grow up this way. If they see anger and hatred, they will think this is a way of life."

Dave McDonough, president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, addressing the attendees, said, "We at the Nassau Council of Chambers are very proud of Hicksville, which is one of the strongest chambers we represent," as he asked continued leadership from the group. He announced a request that the council is making to the local business community to donate space to the businesses and organizations impacted by the World Trade Center disaster. "We as a business community we owe so much to them, and now we can begin to pay them back," McDonough said.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto commented on the impact of the tragedy on Hicksville, noting that the people of Hicksville have been at the forefront of the tumultuous rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. He also made note of the dramatic moment in last Thursday's presidential address, in which President George Bush held up the badge of Hicksville's George Howard, given to him by George's mother, Arlene Howard of Hicksville. "The president spoke of two people in his speech, and both of them - George Howard and his mother Arlene - are from Hicksville," said Venditto. George Howard, a Port Authority Emergency Services Police Officer and member of the Hicksville Fire Department, was killed in his heroic rescue efforts in the earliest moments of the attack. His mother, Arlene, a well-known patriot and veteran from Hicksville, gave the president her son's badge when he visited Ground Zero.

"Each of us will remember what happened that day and to whom it happened," President Bush said during his Sept. 20 speech, in which he vowed that justice would be done against the terrorists behind the attacks. "Some will remember an image of a fire or a story of a rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever." And, then, his face clenched with emotion, the president held up Howard's badge. "And I will carry this. It is the police shield of a man named George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others. It was given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud memorial to her son. It is a reminder of lives that ended and a task that does not end."

Bennett, during the Installation, expressed sympathy to the Hicksville families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. "This evening is dampened by the tragedy of September 11th," he said. He urged Hicksville residents and business community members to take heart in the work they have done to make Hicksville a better place, and to stay strong as Americans. "We Americans, we're strong and full of fervor," he said. "We will win against the terrorists."