The Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce is holding elections for its board of directors this month. At the April 16 chamber meeting, the 15 candidates had three-minutes to speak to members, state their qualifications and state why they should be elected.

Running for a three-year term are Donna Goldstein, David Dender, Francesca Carlow, John Casal and Don Ingram. Running for a two-year term are Sheryl Hodes, Marianne Plummer, Linda Eisenberg, Richard Schatzel and Linda Greenbaum. Running for a one-year term are Anna Goidell, Sheila Kreisberg, Frank Pachillo, Charlene Calise and Marcia Finkelstein. Members were selected to choose three candidates running in each of the three categories.

Donna Goldstein, of Hope Physical and Aquatic Therapy, has been a member of the Commerce for about 10 years. Donna is also the past president of the chamber and during her presidency, the chamber started the scholarship fund, the approvals for the POB welcome signs, made a chamber float for the Memorial Day Parade, published a brochure on the area, held holiday parties with charity donations and gifts given out and many more projects.

David Dender was not able to attend the meeting that conflicted with the school vacation and Passover holiday.

Francesca Carlow is the co-owner of Trio Hardware in Plainview. She has been involved with the chamber for many years. Her other community activities include POB PTA Council Delegate, Booster Club, Plainview Cooperative Nursery School Board of Directors and Executive Producer 35th Year Anniversary Carnival - Plainview COOP. Her objective is to remain an active, contributing members of the chamber. She wants to promote good will, networking and communication between chamber members, organizations and the residents of the Plainview and Old Bethpage community.

John Casal has been a resident of Plainview for 40 years. He said he got involved with the chamber because he wanted to see a welcome sign erected and, as past-president of the chamber, worked very hard to get the funding for that sign.

Don Ingram is a Certified Public Accountant. His past activities include the President of the Plainview Jewish Center - PJC, Chair of the Board of the Trustee's of the PJC, Treasurer of PJC, Plainview Old Bethpage Soccer Club - Division Head/Coach and the POB School District Citizen's Budget Advisor Committee. He is a member of many professional and civic organizations and has been involved in many aspects of the Plainview and Old Bethpage community.

Sheryl Hodes is the Branch Manager of Astoria Federal Savings in Plainview. She was raised in Old Bethpage and graduated from POBJFK High School. She sat on the board of directors of the East Rockaway Trade Association and the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce and is a founding member of a banking organization and since its inception has sat on their board of directors including their executive board filling every position from treasurer to president.

Marianne Plummer manages the Plainview and Hicksville offices at North Fork Bank. She is on the current board of directors of the chamber and has served as treasurer of the chamber. She has participated in membership drives and volunteered her services and branch facility to the organization. She said it would be an honor to serve the chamber for the next two years on the board of directors.

Linda Eisenberg has been an active member of the chamber for many years and a vice president for the past several years. She was raised in Plainview. If elected, she pledges to dedicate and commit herself to the chamber to advocate for the many business owners and residents of the community. Linda is the executive director of Reflection Counseling Center in Plainview.

Richard Schatzel's company has been in the comunity for 30 years and he has owned it for eight. He is a member of the chamber and of the rotary club. He said he has a lot of offer and there is a lot more that the chamber can do. He said that with the right people, the chamber can do great things and he hopes to be one of those people.

Linda Greenbaum resides in Old Bethpage and works for Plainview-Old Bethpage Cares in Plainview. She said that based upon her professional experience and community involvement, she would be a valuable member of the board of directors of chamber. She said she feels that she can help represent a different part of the community - the seniors that she works with at POB Cares. She said there is a lot of potential for growth and the continued development of a town identity.

Anna Goidell has been a resident of Plainview for almost 50 years. She is a retired teacher. She became involved with the chamber when the school district offered to work with reviving the chamber approximately 15 years ago. After retiring from the school board, she remained because her husband, Gene, was the president of the CCPOB, and also a member. She believes the chamber is a vital necessary organization that can only add to making Plainview-Old Bethpage the best area in which to work and live.

Sheila Kreisberg has been a resident of Plainview for over 38 years. She is employed at the Marriott Residence Inn. She began in sales and marketing and now is the head of human resources and special services. She is a former 4H troop leader, board member of the Long Island League to Abolish Cancer, board member of the Free Sons of Israel, Chai Singles Lodge and a member of the Friends of the Library of Plainview Old Bethpage.

Frank Pachillo is a financial planner. He is the treasurer of his homeowners association, which he said is similar to a chamber of commerce. He said it would be his honor if the chamber members wanted him to help the community, which he said is a great community.

Charlene Calise is a social worker and works at Chestnut Grove Assisted Living in Plainview. She said it is her responsibility for making Chestnut Grove part of the community. She is an active member of the Memorial Day Parade Committee as well as many other organizations in the community. She just recently joined Friends of the Library.

Marcia Finkelstein was unable to attend the April 16 chamber meeting.

Only chamber members can vote. Voting must take place by ballot, which was mailed to chamber members and the completed ballot must be handed in person to Dona Malter and/or Charles-Eric Gordon, who have been designated to tally the votes.

More information is available on the chamber's website www.plainview-oldbethpage.com.