The Islip Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1923 by a small group of businessmen with vision who foresaw a small country village growing into a populous hamlet of the Town of Islip with attendant complex problems. The Chamber was incorporated in 1957. Today, the Islip Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has a paid membership of approximately 180 businesses and concerned residents; a mailing list of 250; and
is one of the most active civic organizations in the Town of Islip. The present Constitution and By-Laws of the Islip Chamber of Commerce, Inc. The Object of the Chamber, as set forth therein is as follows:
"The object of the Chamber of Commerce, Inc. shall be to promote and encourage public improvements and commerce; support industry; adjust disputes relative to trade, transportation and navigation; aid in procuring such laws and regulations as may be found necessary for the benefit of trade in general; to foster the interest of those engaged in or having a common trade, business, financial or professional interest; to secure freedom from unjust and unlawful exactions; to diffuse accurate information as to the standing of merchants and other matters; to procure a uniformity and certainty in the customs and usages of trade and commerce; to settle differences between its members and to promote a more enlarged and friendly in*******se among its members. To recommend and aid in procuring just and suitable laws, ordinances and enactments, roads, sewerages, draining, transportation, finance, taxation, law and order, education and any other beneficial purposes; to foster an increase in population and shall deem to be advantageous to the community and to aid in securing adequate laws and equal enforcement for the benefit of all. The Chamber in its actions shall be non-partisan and non-sectarian and shall take no part in nor lend its influence to the election or appointment of any candidate for political office." In pursuance of its Constitution and By-Laws, the officers and twelve directors hold regular and special meetings and general meeting of the membership. In addition, the Chamber holds at least two social events during the year. The Chamber has many actively working Committees including; Membership; Bylaws; Publicity; Town Affairs; Budget; Youth Enrichment; Merchants; Programing; and Events. The Chamber has a proud record of civic endeavor and outstanding achievements in the Village and Town of Islip. A summary of some of the goals reached over the years is as follows: the service road off of Union Avenue behind Associated Supermarket; the parking lot on Smith Avenue near the Islip Fire Department and Islip Theatre; the old Field property parking lot on Grant Avenue with service road to Locust Avenue; the old Raynor property parking lot and service road on Locust Avenue; the old Macy property on Main Street east of Town Hall for future expansion; the expansion of Town Hall and recommendation for keeping Colonial motif; the new Long Island Railroad station and landscaping and parking lot improvement; the addition of industrial zoned land in our school district for an added assessment; improvements of Islip Beach; improved parking; improvement of garbage collection in our business district; obtaining re-assessment of business property in business area to help small firms; serving as watch dog on zoning and other town actions for benefit of taxpayers; obtaining new post office for hamlet; obtaining and preservation of Memorial Park in the Village; working with Islip school authorities for betterment of the community; recommending and cooperating with Islip Town government for village and town improvements; serving as an active civic improvement organization by working with other organizations in the village and town; and proposing and forming the Town of Islip Chamber of Commerce comprising all the chambers in the Town. The Chamber's immediate goals are more police protection; unified zoning laws in the Town; completion of long sought off-street parking project and access roads in the Village Main Street area to the North; additional off-street parking areas; a walkway from Main Street to Village off-street parking; additional landscaping of the LIRR station property; repair of sidewalks in the business section; additional zoning for light industry; location of multiple dwellings and senior citizen apartments adjacent to local business areas to promote Main Street business vis-à-vis large shopping areas; and many more. (Written May 3, 1997)
