Paying tribute to the businesses that make up its membership, the Levittown Chamber of Commerce installed its officers and directors for 2004-2005 amid festivities at the Fox Hollow in Woodbury on January 9.

Honored at the event by outgoing President Barry S. Room of Promo Plus were Louise Cassano, of LuCas Communications, who received the President's Award and Frank Mormando of Levittown Lanes, who received the Distinguished Service Award.

Mario Bucci, chairperson of the Levittown School District's Gerald R. Claps Career & Technical Center, was honored as the Citizen of the Year.

In presenting the award to Cassano, Room thanked her for her support to him and to the chamber over the past year. The award recognizes a chamber member whose efforts and performance provide the greatest support and benefits to the work and operation of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, its board of directors and the chamber president during the preceding year. Room recognized Mormando's outstanding performance as Community Affairs Chairperson and thanked him for all of his contributions. The award is presented to a chamber member whose work and efforts during the preceding year were extraordinary and unsurpassed.

Room's two-year tenure in office were recognized by Tufarelli on behalf of the board of directors, who presented him with the President's gavel and thanked him for his contributions to the organization.

The Citizen of the Year Award, presented by the chamber for the first time this year, recognizes an individual who has shown extraordinary dedication and commitment to the Levittown community through voluntary acts of service and good will. In presenting the award to Bucci, Cassano said, "We are fortunate that [Mario] chose to become involved in the community where he worked because he believed he could devote more time here and be more involved in community service. He could have chosen to say 'no' at all of the times he has said 'yes' to so many of us in this room."

Bucci has been honored many times by various organizations. In accepting the Citizen of the Year Award, he said he was especially honored to be given the first-ever Citizen of the Year Award by the Levittown Chamber of Commerce.

During the opening ceremonies, the 2004 to 2005 board of directors were inducted by Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes, who administered the oath of office to First Vice President John Tufarelli of Century 21 American Homes, Second Vice President Kevin Regan of Levittown Island Trees Youth Council; Counsel/Secretary Eric Rosenblum of the Law Offices of Eric Rosenblum; Treasurer Fred Form of Fred Form Accountants; and Directors Michael Bernstein of Long Island Back and Neck Care; Andrew Booth of JB Creations; Lois Cornibert of Astoria Federal Savings; Beth Dalton-Costello of Dalton Funeral Homes; Dr. Jacklyn J. Nogan of Nogan Chiropractic; Frank Mormando of Levittown Lanes, Les Rumel of Mortgage Match and Ed Szala of HSBC Bank.

Cassano was inducted as President for the 2004-2005 term. Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray administered the oath of office. In accepting the office, she thanked all of the preceding presidents who laid a solid foundation for the organization which is approaching the 45th anniversary of its incorporation.

"...I've learned from [my predecessors] that you will be respected if you carry out the responsibilities of the office with sincerity and for the good of the organization. You have my pledge that I will do that and will always act in the name of protecting and encouraging business in our community," said Cassano.

Following the opening ceremonies, guests socialized and danced to the live music of Flashback, a music group led by Chris Angel, a Levittown resident, who has performed at many Chamber and community events.

Cassano has extended her thanks to all of the individuals who served on the Tribute to Business Dinner and Journal Committees, chaired by Lois Cornibert and John Tufarelli, respectively. Committee members included Andy Booth, Beth Dalton-Costello, Eileen O'Rourke, the Chamber's Office Manager, and Barry Room. She especially thanks the event's dinner sponsors, Astoria Federal Savings and Levittown Lanes, who along with all the journal sponsors, made this event possible.

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and protecting businesses in the community. Membership is open to all businesses organizations and residents which reside or conduct business in the Levittown community. The chamber offers various benefits including website services and group health insurance to its members. Information on membership may be obtained by calling the chamber office at 520-8000.