The Syosset Chamber of Commerce welcomed Glen Cove Mayor Tom Suozzi as their guest speaker at their April 12 meeting.

Suozzi, Democratic candidate for Nassau County Executive, had the Chamber's undivided attention as he spoke about the revitalization of Glen Cove and the complete transformation that the village has gone through over the past few years.

The Syosset Chamber has been diligently working over the last three years to revitalize downtown Syosset for the betterment of both the community and the business sector.

"Suozzi spoke about the approach he took toward the business community in order to get them involved," said Jerry Siegel, president of the Syosset Chamber of Commerce. "Glen Cove had a downtown that was extremely dilapidated before he took action. At this point in time, they probably have one of the most vibrant downtown areas on Long Island."

Siegel, along with the approximately 40 people in attendance, seemed to be in agreement that Suozzi offered some great advice for the Chamber. "We will be setting some goals as an organization in order to utilize that information and make some of those things happen," said Siegel.

Although no specific plans have been set, Siegel would like to see the chamber do more in the downtown area. "I think there is more in the way of beautification that can be done that will help the people want to go downtown," said Siegel.

The Chamber is working with Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset to beautify the downtown area. According to Siegel, Residents has circulated a petition, with the help of Town of Oyster Bay Town Clerk Martha Offerman, to re-open Syosset's Landia Train Station during rush hour to alleviate some parking problems at the Syosset station and make some spaces available for the downtown merchants.

In an effort to begin beautification and bring springtime to the local area, the chamber hung the annual spring banners throughout the town. "Any business has the opportunity to buy a sponsor banner and the money that the sponsor provides, in addition to providing the business with a banner, goes toward paying the cost of the spring and winter banners," said Siegel. The flower and snowman banners can be found throughout the town during their respective season. The banners, increasing in numbers since the winter season, can be found on Jackson Avenue, Underhill Boulevard and portions of Jericho Turnpike.

Siegel is excited about the progress the chamber has made and looks forward to implementing some of the ideas suggested by guest speaker Tom Suozzi.

"The idea that [revitalization] can be done and that it only takes a continual and constant effort in order to make that happen is one of those things that the chamber is doing at this time," said Siegel. "We have come together as an organization to make things better for the communities of Syosset, Woodbury, Muttontown, Oyster Bay Cove and Jericho. Together, with numbers, we can do even more."

The next meeting of the Syosset Chamber of Commerce will take place on Thursday morning May 10 at St. Mary's Children and Family Services located at 525 Convent Road in Syosset (turn east off of Jackson Avenue, south of the train tracks.) The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. with networking and the guest speaker will be Richard Kessel, Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority. Anyone interested in joining the chamber, or who has any further questions, should call 496-3485 ext. 112