Although Jerry Siegel has been involved with the Syosset Chamber of Commerce for the past two years, he started the new year with a new position and a new set of responsibilities. Siegel was elected president of the Syosset Chamber of Commerce to start 2001.

Siegel, a resident of Syosset, works at JASB Management, Inc. a management and consultant firm located at 134 Syosset Woodbury Road in Syosset. Siegel has many plans for the chamber, which serves Syosset, Woodbury, Jericho, Muttontown and Oyster Bay Cove.

Siegel's main goal, which he began work on immediately, is to increase the Chamber's membership. Currently there are approximately 140 members and Siegel hopes to reach the 200 mark this year.

Another goal of Siegel's is to continue to provide benefits to the community. Specifically, Siegel and the chamber are looking for signage on the roads and additional improvements to the parking situation. "We are attempting to obtain some funds from New York State that we can utilize for various projects around town," said Siegel. The types of projects would be up to the discretion of the chamber's beautification committee, which is under the direction of Lisa Predmore.

Although Siegel is making some changes to improve the chamber itself and the community, there are some things that will remain the same. The Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony has become a major part of the Syosset community and will continue to this year as well. Last year's attendance set records and Siegel hope to do the same this year.

On March 1, the chamber is holding their annual dinner dance, which includes a silent auction, at the Milleridge Cottage in Jericho. This event is not limited to members of the chamber and anyone can attend.

There are many benefits to joining the chamber. This is a bi-monthly newsletter that is currently being sent to members as well as 600 potential members. The newsletter lists all of the chamber's members and gives the address and phone numbers of their respective business. There is also a directory that includes all of the members.

There are three different types of membership for the chamber - there is a regular membership for businesses within the vicinity; a Civic or a non-profit membership and then any organization is welcome to include additional people since the membership is basically for one individual representing a company.

Although the chamber is a separate organization, they work in collaboration with many groups to better the community. One of those organizations is Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset. "We continuously communicate with them and we are looking to work together to help the community," said Siegel.

Siegel is serving a one-year term as president, but is trying, along with the board to extend the officers' terms to two years. "It is very possible that before the year is out, we will have voted to make that change, which requires a bylaw change, which the membership will have to acknowledge," said Siegel. "People settle into positions and then do not have enough time to implement anything because the year is well under way and then we turn around and the year is ending."

The officers are Vice Presidents Jim Tinnelly, JT Enterprises, and Tricia Shannon, who is involved in the North Syosset Civic Association and Century 21 Realty. Lisa Predmore, secretary of the chamber, is a clinical audiologist and has a practice under her name. Raymond DiPresso is the treasurer and he is with State Bank of Long Island.

"Our slogan is 'Where business and people make a difference' and I emphasize the 'people making a difference' because the chamber is successful since we have a lot of hard working people," said Siegel. "The officers are certainly first and foremost and we have a very active board of directors as well. That is the reason we now have trash barrels within the town and why we have flowerpots as well. All of these things only happen because people put their time, energy and effort into giving to the chamber. I want to thank everyone who is connected."

The chamber meets on the second Thursday of every month from 7:30- 9 a.m. at St. Mary's Children and Family Services at 525 Convent Road in Syosset. This location is new for the chamber, but the larger size meeting room complements the growing chamber perfectly. Anyone in the community is welcome to attend the meetings as membership to the chamber entitles voting rights. Anyone interested in joining the chamber, or who has any further questions, should call 496-3485 ext. 112.