Connie Marmaro, right, is named the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year during the chamber’s awards and installation banquet Jan. 21. She accepted the award with her daughter Mary Dymtrow, center, and Dymtrow’s fiancé, Jesse Otazo.
PINELLAS PARK – The Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce had much to celebrate during its awards and installation banquet Jan. 21, held at the Performing Arts Center.
The chamber added 50 new members to its ranks in the last year, implemented several new classes and networking opportunities for business owners, established new partnerships and forged into the world of social media, new president Jon Farris told the audience.
Most importantly, Pinellas Park weathered the economy, in part due to the collaboration of the business community.
“When we pull together, great things happen. We’ve proven that in 2011,” Farris said. “This is a unique place, a unique chamber. It is because we look out for each other, and we make sure that you’re going to succeed.”
Chamber members also spent much of the dinner commending Mayor Bill Mischler and referring to Pinellas Park as the “capitol city of Tampa Bay,” Mischler’s favorite epithet for his city.
“Bill Mischler: so close to so many hearts … and loved by so many, I would like to declare you the father of this city,” said chamber member Housh Ghovaee. “We’re going to miss your everyday presence in our lives in the city.”
The chamber presented Mischler with a plaque commemorating his service, to be hung in the chamber’s headquarters in Park Station.
“There is no mayor in the 30 cities that make up the Tampa Bay region who has, sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly, lent his wholehearted support to a chamber of commerce,” member Terry England said.
Members also made frequent mention of the mayor’s business visitation program, in which a contingent from the city and chamber tours several businesses once a month. Paul Ziegler, who served as president last year, said he learned a lot about the “dynamic businesses” in the city through the program.
“There are places behind buildings and in between the alleys, and things that are being built here, made here, manufactured here. It is absolutely incredible what is going on right now in Pinellas Park,” Zeigler said.
Citizen awards
The chamber named Connie Marmaro as the Citizen of the Year, a title that is like a lifetime achievement award, explained chamber board member Tim Caddell.
“To know her is to love her,” he said.
Marmaro, who has lived in Pinellas Park for almost 50 years, is a longtime leader in the Pinellas County Head Start program, having served on its board ever since her children became involved in the program in 1967.
She worked as an administrative assistant for the city of Belleair Beach in 1969 and then for the Morning Star Catholic School in Pinellas Park from 1971 to 1987. At the Catholic school, which serves special needs students, she helped found a support group called Opportunity to Help Educate Receptive Students and has been integral to its success.
Marmaro, a mother of five, also has served on the Pinellas Park Library advisory board and Friends organization, the Knights of Columbus, the American Business Woman’s Association and various parent volunteer groups.
“I could never come close to contributing the amount of time and effort and love that (she) has given to the city,” said Caddell, who himself has been living in and serving the city for 40 years.
Marmaro said she attended the chamber event without knowing she would be recognized.
“I think I’m at a loss for words, and that doesn’t happen very often,” she said as she accepted the award. “I am so pleased, so proud. Thank you so much; I love this city.”
Thomas Boyle, a junior at Pinellas Park High School and member of the Pinellas Park Police Department Explorers program, was given the Youth Citizenship Award.
Zeigler honored Terry England with a “president’s award” for his active participation in the chamber. England chaired the chamber’s economic development committee and organized the chambers inaugural trap shoot fundraiser at the Skyway Trap and Skeet Club.
“He’s brought us some great ideas, some great thoughts. That’s really at the heart of trying to get the business community kick-started and going here,” Zeigler said.
Pinellas Park City Manager Mike Gustafson received the Loyd Tingler Good Government Award, commended for his “common sense approach” and “relaxed yet confident management style” that condensed governmental bureaucracy, Caddell said.
Business awards
Affordable Hearing Solutions, a new business to the city, was awarded as the Small Business of the Year. The business, owned by Dona Schwanemann and Michael Smith, celebrated the grand opening of its new Pinellas Park location in December.
“We’re really very excited to win this,” business manger Monica Jukas said. “We’re kind of new in your community, yes. But the service that we provide is a true one. Hearing is quality of life, and we take it very seriously.”
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County won Nonprofit of the Year.
“We love being in your city,” organization President Barbara Inman said.
Sam’s Club won the Large Business of the Year. No one from the company was present to accept the award.
A new year
The banquet, which was catered by Vincent House, served as the start of the year for the chamber. Mischler, commenting that it was his last time to preside over the ceremony, installed Farris as the new president, Hope Peterson as the president-elect and swore in the board of directors for a new year.
“I can’t think of a better person to lead this chamber forward,” Mischler said of Farris.
Mischler said he joins Farris and others twice a month to pray for Pinellas Park.
He noted it was ironic for Farris to become chamber president in the same building that the city bought from Crosspointe Church, the church currently pastored by Farris, and before him, his father.
Farris closed the event advising businesses to look for new programs and opportunities from the chamber.
“2012 is going to be a great year. I look forward to serving you,” he said.
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