Letter from the President, Michael DeLuise
It seems like only yesterday. Actually it was ten years ago when Jim Tsunis Sr. and I joined our good friend John Bonsignour for lunch at the Sweet Hollow Diner to discuss what could be done to eliminate the traffic congestion choking the economic life out of the 110 Corridor. It was John who suggested we create a new chamber of commerce to solve problems such as this effecting the Melville and East Farmingdale area while reinventing and reinvigorating the definition of an effective local business group. We were soon recognized as the official chamber of the 110 Corridor. With a philosophy of building a volunteer organization with the sole purpose of supporting the social and economic needs of the people and businesses of Long Island we quickly went to work. Your Melville Chamber has quietly grown to be the model business association we are today without charging large membership or event fees. In fact, to this day most of our events are presented without charge to members. Working with elected officials, government offices and other business groups the Melville Chamber of Commerce makes important things happen. Our roads are improving. Additional businesses of all sizes and categories are moving into the area. Those businesses calling the 110 Corridor home have successfully bucked the negative impact of a poor national economy. Your Chamber and its members have raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charities. We have created model programs to nurture and retain young local executives. Without ever taking political sides we continually introduce the community to our local, state and federal officials as well as those who may challenge them at the polls. The Melville Chamber of Commerce does all of this and considerably more without paying our volunteer board or committee members a penny. We have never taken a dollar of taxpayer money to do our good work. We are very proud of what your Chamber has accomplished throughout this past decade. Without any fanfare the hard work of our founders and board members along with the unselfish dedication of Executive Director Ted Macaluso continues to add great energy and life to the 110 Corridor, the very heart of the Long Island business community. Serving the members of the Melville Chamber of Commerce is a most rewarding honor for me. It would be difficult to count the many colleagues and friends we have grown to trust and admire. Speaking for myself and my colleagues who serve on the board, our association with the Melville Chamber has been an overwhelmingly rewarding experience. We will always be available to offer each of you support and advice. Don't be shy. If you ever need help please contact me at mdeluise@aol.com or call the Melville Chamber of Commerce office at 631- 777-6260 or visit the Chamber website at www.melvillechamber.org.
Best regards,
Michael DeLuise
President
Melville Chamber of Commerce
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