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Business & Tech

Lynbrook Chamber Installs New Officers, Honors Four Community Members

Alicemarie Bresnihan, Joseph LaRocco, Maryann Hughes and Raymond Burke recognized for decades of service to village.

Last Thursday, the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Installation and Awards Dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Hempstead Avenue. Approximately 150 people attended, including local politicians, business owners, and family members, for the sake of swearing in the Chamber's 2011 officers and directors, recognizing new members of the Chamber, and honoring four community members for dedicated service to Lynbrook.

The event was sponsored by Long Island American Water, which is headquartered in Lynbrook.

“Shop local isn’t a catchphrase to me. It’s our life blood,” said Stephen Wangel, owner of The Kitchen Loft and the Chamber's new Vice President of Membership. “I’m also happy to introduce the newest members of our business community,” he said, naming CPA Realty, F&L Deli and Catering, Decorating Den Interiors, Wraptor Rotisserie and Grill, Swyrl Frozen Yogurt, Corporate Specialties, and Sweet Peace Bake Shop.

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Nine officers were sworn in after dinner, followed by the 14 directors, led by local officials including Nassau County Legis. Francis Becker, state Assemblyman Brian Curran, Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino, and Lynbrook Mayor William Hendrick. Then, the four honorees (named below) were presented and awarded plaques, before a raffle ensued to close the ceremony.

THE HONOREES

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Alicemarie Bresnihan, Lynbrook School District

Lynbrook Board of Education Member Alicemarie Bresnihan was honored for her service to public education in Lynbrook. She has been a board member since 1975 and held all positions, to wit, president, vice president, secretary, legislative representative, and voting delegate. She is also an advocate for the board to local, state, and national governments, and from Sunday to Tuesday of this week, she will be in Washington D.C. at the Federal Relations Network (FRN) Conference, where she'll meet with Congressional representatives to discuss education.

“As a member of the Board of Education she attends, as expected, the regularly scheduled meetings, which are many any given year. However, she also attends every concert and every play, and every special event in every school in this district. This is not the norm,” said Dr. Santo Barbarino, superintendent of the Lynbrook School District who, along with board president Catherine Papandrew, presented Bresnihan.

Joseph P. LaRocco, Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce

“My time was mostly helping the church,” said Joseph LaRocco near the end of the night.

Indeed, since 1965, he has been president of Holy Name Society and was treasurer for the parish’s 25th anniversary dedication. He worked as an accountant and was also a treasurer of the Catholic Accountants Guild of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

LaRocco has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for over 50 years and was among the directors sworn in at the event.

During her own speech, Bresnihan called LaRocco “a Lynbrook treasure”.

Mary Ann Hughes, Village of Lynbrook

Curran presented Mary Ann Hughes, .

“Everyone who knows Mary Ann, knows several things. One: the manner in which she conducts herself at Village Hall is professional, efficient, and better than anybody that you know. Anybody that sees her at Village Hall sees how she is cared for by every person that is down there…” he said.

Hughes is leaving Village Hall in March.

Raymond Burke, Lynbrook Fire Department

Raymond Burke is the chief of the , of which he has been a member since 1978. He became 2nd Lieutenant of Hose Company No. 1 in 1986 and Captain from 1988-90, and then again in 2004. In 2007, he was named 3rd Assistant Chief. He was named chief last year for a term that will end in April, when he will retire from the service.

From the lectern, he waxed nostalgic on his service, recalling being enchanted by the sound of the chief responding over the radio in his rookie years.

“My favorite part of my job is when I respond to a call and say ‘429 responding’.”

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