Rebecca Barker (chamber VP), Rigo Cardoso (president)
April 27, 2015 By Christian Murray
The Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce re-elected Rigo Cardoso as its president last Wednesday.
Cardoso, the owner of Sunnyside-based Pronto Car Service, took charge of the chamber about a year ago when he won a hard-fought election against Swain Weiner.
Since Cardoso has been in charge the chamber, the organization has turned a corner, according to director Patricia Dorfman.
Dorfman said that membership is up 25%; the organization has overcome debt issues to be solvent again; and it has generated $15,000 for local promotion.
Furthermore, Dorfman said the chamber has been able to draw quality speakers to its monthly lunch meetings, such as Community Board 2 chairman Pat O’Brien–who discussed zoning; the Commanding Officer of the 108 Precinct Capt. John Travaglia who discussed crime prevention; and Mitch Waxman, a local historian and expert on the Newtown Creek and the Sunnyside Yards.
Chamber members elected 27 board members Wednesday, consisting of 18 directors, six vice presidents, a secretary, treasurer and Cardoso as president.
The board is evaluating whether it should sign on to #savenyc, a group that is focused on passing city legislation that would help small businesses negotiate– through arbitration if needed– with landlords come lease renewal time. The bill at the very least, advocates say, would require landlords to provide business owners with significant notice if they are required to leave.
“We have already lost Dr. Kubikian (dentist), Center Cinemas and more neighborhood treasures,” said Dorfman. “We can’t stop rezoning which has made our buildings a hot ticket but we can try to help the stores which make our quality of life.”
