The Port Washington Chamber of Commerce held its annual installation of officers and directors at a special dinner at Fish Kebab restaurant, 286 Main Street, on Sept. 17. The Chamber was honored to have Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger and Town Clerk Michelle Schimel perform the swearing-in ceremonies. The chamber also honored three people with 2003 Community Service Awards. They are Supervisor May Newburger, Town Commisioner of Parks and Recreation Gerard Olsen and Port resident Michael Block.

Chamber President Warren Schein praised Supervisor Newburger for her many years of service to the community. He described Newburger as one of Port Washington's and Chamber's staunchest supporters over the years. Through her personal efforts, the community of Port Washington has been revitalized both economically and aesthetically. In her capacities as town supervisor, state assemblywoman and town councilwoman, she has worked vigorously and tirelessly for the betterment of every resident and business in Port. She has provided the chamber with the resources needed to fulfill many of its goals. The creation of the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District (GPWBID) - a major chamber project that took 10 years to reach fruition - was made possible with the encouragement, assistance and direct efforts of Supervisor Newburger. HarborFest is the chamber's major annual community event. Supervisor Newburger has made sure that every branch of town hall works with the chamber toward the successful outcome of HarborFest. Mr. Schein wished her much happiness as she takes a well-deserved retirement from office.

Mr. Schein spoke glowingly of the contributions of commissioner Gerard Olsen, who was not able to be present. He said Commissioner Olsen has been a dedicated, intelligent and forward thinking public servant since joining the town Department of Parks and Recreation over 30 years ago. He knows the town's parks and recreational areas better than anyone - having served in various capacities including Harbor Patrol, security, recreation supervisor and, since 1992, commissioner. As commissioner, he has instituted numerous modernization and beautification projects in Port's town parks and the town dock. His administration is responsible for many improvements in the facilities under his management. He has worked with the chamber of commerce to implement a number of important chamber projects. Most significantly, his direct involvement and assistance has been crucial to the success of HarborFest, which, of course, takes place on the Town Dock and in Manhasset Bay. Mr. Schein said the chamber thanks Commissioner Olsen for his years of service to the Port Washington and for his continuing efforts to keep Port's waterfront a clean, beautiful, thriving asset to the community.

Mr. Schein thanked Mike Block for his contributions to HaborFest and the children of Port Washington. In 1998, Mr. Block first contacted the chamber's HarborFest committee with his very original idea of a "Model Sailboat Regatta" for school children. He and other volunteers would teach the children how to build sailboats out of juice cartons, plastic soda bottles, plastic bags, etc., thus teaching them about recycling as well as sailing. The recycling lessons tied in with his efforts on behalf of Donorlink - an organization dedicated to promoting organ donation (or recycling of organs). He proposed holding the Regatta during HarborFest as both events shared environmental and nautical themes. Mr. Block and his friend Ed Lawrence organized the entire Regatta - including the purchasing of materials; getting necessary permits; arranging with the schools to go into the classrooms and instruct the children on how to build their sailboats out of recyclable materials, and enlisting a group of volunteers to run the Regatta. The Model Sailboat Regatta was an immediate success and continues to be one of the most popular events at HarborFest. HarborFest and Port Washington have benefited tremendously from Mr. Block's vision, creativity, perseverance and dedication to this project. Mr. Schein said it has truly been a joy for everyone connected with HarborFest to work with such a fine gentleman for the past six years. Mr. Block and his wife Kitty will be moving to Florida and Mr. Schein wished him lots of success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Schein also mentioned that Bernie and Kandi Wasser have sold the Port Washington Music House after 39 years in business. He praised them for their years of strong community involvement, especially with the Rotary Club. He noted that Mr. Wasser will still be involved in the music business and will continue to give lessons.

The Port Washington Chamber of Commerce officers and directors for 2003-04 are the following:

President: Warren Schein, Town of North Hempstead

1st Vice President: G.A. "Stretch" Ryder, Inspiration Wharf

2nd Vice President: Phyllis Joseph, Landmark on main Street

3rd Vice President: J.P. Shields, Shields Bros. Plumbing & Hardware

Secretary: Charles A. Schnier, DC, Port Wash. Chiropractic Office

Treasurer: Leslie Ann Jacobi, HSBC Bank

Richard Garofalo, Anthony's World of Floors

Faye Gillespie, Town Planner Community Calendar

Patrick J. Gillespie, CPA (Chamber accountant)

Debbie Greco, Greco Integrated Communications

Doreen Hannwacker, North Fork Bank

Ayhan Hassan, Shish Kebab/Fish Kebab/Mediterranean Marketplace

Bob Howard, Delux Transportation

James Kallenberg, Jimmy's Shoes

George Martin, Manhasset Bay Shipyard

Lucy Mazany, State Bank of Long Island

Sal Milazzo, Milazzo Insurance Agency

Catherine O'Neill, Finn MacCool's

Judy Ray, Carnel's Printing & Copy Center

Roy Smitheimer, Greater Port Washington BID

M. William Solomon, All Port Travel

Kenneth R. Tuch, Esq. (chamber attorney)

Edna Turner, Twin Pines

William Wald, DDS

James Eisenman serves as director of HarborSafe. Past President Howard Blankman serves on Special Projects. The chamber's community liaisons are Fredrick Falconer (S.F. Falconer Florist/Fire Dept.), Lt. Ronald DeMeo and PO Anthony Guzzelo (police district). Roberta Polay is the chamber's executive director.