Chamber of Commerce Forges Ahead with More Members

Rainy, humid weather did not stop the Hillside Chamber of Commerce from holding its 6th annual Free Picnic by the Pool Meeting.

Taking the meeting indoors to the Hillside Memorial Building on Liberty Avenue, Chamber members met with township and school district officials in an informal gathering.

Present were the new police Chief Robert Quinlan and the new fire Chief Joseph Behnke.

Also present were Fourth Ward Councilman Gerald "Pateesh" Freedman, Superintendent of Schools Raymond Bandlow, Ph.D., Board of Education members Sergio Bichao and Nathalie E. Yafet, and former Chamber president Irene Goldie-Petras.

The new COC members - JPMorgan/Chase bank, Route 22 Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and Promo Graphics - received their membership plaques. The owner of a new southern style cuisine restaurant on Liberty Avenue - (formerly Abner's Deli) - was also welcomed by the crowd.

The Licciardello family was also present to congratulate the Hillside High School Senior receiving the Joseph Licciardello Memorial Award. The Award was founded by the Chamber in memory of Joseph Licciardello, a former Hillside roofing company owner and Chamber of Commerce member who was murdered at his place of business.