It poured Thursday, April 12 at 8 a.m. as members of the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce ducked into their official headquarters sandwiched between the Long Island Rail Road ticket office and "stationary" phones at the station. As they peeled out of their dripping garments each bemoaned the parking situation in Manhasset. "What was the upshot of the visioning/traffic/safety meeting? What is the next step?"

The most recent "visioning" meeting was at the high school on March 15 and everyone had an opinion on the study sponsored by the Town of North Hempstead, conducted by an engineering firm. It was agreed the proposed safety features were good, while the parking analysis was flawed. The best solution, someone offered, would be if the Oyster Bay railroad line would be electrified, making it unnecessary for commuters on that line to drive to and park in Manhasset in order to capitalize on the shorter commute. One member divulged that some commuters travel to Manhasset from Great Neck because by the time the train stops in Great Neck there aren't many seats left. Out of town commuters parking in Manhasset all day exacerbates the problem, "and it's illegal and the law is on the books," a member exclaimed. Parking for business owners and employees was also cited as a major difficulty. Inadequate parking adversely affects business and the proprietor of Young's Liquor Store said he expressed his concern in a letter to Jon Kaimen, following the visioning meeting, that the engineering firm did not grasp the complexity of the local parking problem. When he expressed interest in getting involved he said he never received a response from any party involved with the study.

Nancy Morris, State Farm Insurance Agency, had better luck. Following the chamber meeting April 12, Morris sent Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman an email informing him that "several of us that were at that meeting {visioning} updated Manhasset Chamber of Commerce members today and the question we couldn't answer was "what next?" Could you let me know what the next step is? When can the signal timing be changed to ease congestion on Plandome Road? When will the crosswalk count down signals be installed? Is there money for the bumpouts and colorized crosswalks?" Morris expressed her gratitude at his involvement, her willingness to help and reiterated her request for an update.

That afternoon Kaiman responded informing her of his meeting on April 16 with the county executive and his planning team to discuss the town's visioning projects, including Manhasset. Kaiman also said they are waiting to hear from Washington to see what funding they will receive this year. He said he anticipates the town board will appoint an interim councilperson in April to handle Wayne Wink's district for the rest of the year. Once that person is appointed, he/she will be responsible for follow-up. Kaiman thanked her for her e-mail.

Other business included the image of the chamber, currently undergoing a makeover. As part of that makeover the newly adopted mission statement, framed beautifully by The Frame Shoppe, 447 Plandome Road, was on display. The web site is being overhauled by Eileen Symmons, Tupelo Design Group, and is near completion. The website most likely will be displayed at the upcoming Business Card Exchange and Networking Event, and, in the near future, all chamber members will be listed on the site. Chamber members each received Manhasset Chamber of Commerce window stickers for display in those establishments that are 2007 chamber members.

The April 12 meeting was the first scheduled breakfast meeting - bagels, pastry, fruit and coffee provided by Gourmet Bagels and Manhasset Catering, 405 Plandome Road.

Dr. Harvey Passes, Great Neck dentist and weekly Cablevision talk show hosts will be the guest speaker at the Business Card Exchange to be held April 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sovereign Bank, 1420 Northern Boulevard, at the corner of Shelter Rock Road. Refreshments will be served. To confirm your attendance call Joanne Dougherty, Sovereign Bank Community Banking Manager, at 627-9300. For membership information call Nancy Morris, Agent, _Nancy H. Morris Agency, at 365-2525. Bring lots of business cards!