FEBRUARY 2013

BITS & BYTES

Four amazing technology trends for 2013.
PAGE 6
COACHS CORNER
Easy money.
PAGE 2
HEALTH-CARE TRENDS
Your business plan: A matter of heart.
PAGE 7
www.sibiztrends.com
JANET DUGO/Business Trends
Neighborhood Technical Assistance Corp. presented its annual Meet the Grantmakers event at the College of
Staten Island, offering workshops and networking opportunities for Staten Islands not-for-profit organizations.
Pictured, from left, are Pasquale Loporcaro of sponsor TD Bank, Loretta Cauldwell of West Brighton Local De-
velopment Corp., presenter Valerie Oliver-Durrah of NTAC, Rev. Maggie Howard of Stapleton UAME Church, and
Carol Dunn of the Inter-Agency Council for Aging.
Meet the Grantmakers
Its Tax Time
Dont miss these tax-cutting
initiatives on your 2012 return.
PAGE 18
By TIM RONALDSON
Business Trends
Ever since he opened his first
hair salon in 1974, Otto Lajka has
been on the move. For nine years,
he ran Avanti Hair Salon as a
small family operation before
opening another store in 1983 at
his current location on Hylan
Boulevard.
Every seven years or so, Lajka
expanded his salon, from an origi-
nal 1,000 square-foot building to
its current space of 5,000 square
feet.
Hes a person with a plan, a
person who loves the community
in which he lives and does busi-
ness, a person who works hard
and gives back to the best of his
ability.
In November, Lajka became,
like many others on Staten Is-
land, a person deeply affected by
Hurricane Sandy.
The salon, located more than a
mile from the coastline, was flood-
ed with more than five feet of
water. After days of being prohib-
ited from going to the store, Lajka
found it in shambles dirty, full of
mud and in need of extensive re-
pair. Every item in the salon that
wasnt seven feet off the ground
had to be replaced.
Like many others on Staten Is-
He had
the
will to
recover
please see AVANTI, page 20
By TIM RONALDSON
Business Trends
The shock and horror of Hurricane Sandy
has seemed to wear off for Staten Islanders
who were devastated back in October. Three
months after the storm touched ground in
the borough, people are working hard to get
their lives back in order, and, for many, that
struggle will continue throughout this year
and beyond.
Sandy closed businesses some, for good
displaced people from their homes and shift-
ed the focus from taxes and tolls to recovery
please see OUTLOOK, page 22
Focus remains on storm recovery
2 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
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By BILLY SPARKLE
Last months article touched
on neural pathways and how they
can adversely affect our progress
toward our goals. This month, Id
like to share with you an ineffec-
tive pattern that was making it
difficult for me to receive money
and what I did to break free of it.
If youre eager to see a jump in
your income, I believe youll find
my story both entertaining and
instructive. Like many of us,
when I first learned the steps in-
volved in asking for and receiving
money, my dance partners were
my mom and dad. Heres the se-
quence as I had erroneously
learned it Step One: I had to
ask. Step Two would be my par-
ents presentation that this was-
nt a good time, there wasnt
any available, Im always ask-
ing for money, they just gave me
some two days ago, etc. This was
followed by Step Three: internal
feelings of guilt, shame, embar-
rassment, self-criticism for being
in the position of having to ask in
the first place, and so forth. Typi-
cally, the next step surprisingly
enough was that Id actually be
given the money. My mom would
open up her purse (thered be a
five and some singles in there),
and as she handed me the five dol-
lar bill, shed say, Here! Thats
my last five dollar bill!! Because
I wasnt aware of bank accounts,
investment portfolios, home equi-
ty, and the like, I really believed I
was taking my mothers last five
dollars. So the final step, as I
walked away with the money, was
to feel like I just took advantage of
someone.
As an adult, I spent seven years
on Wall Street replaying that
same pattern. At nineteen years
old, I began calling up million-
aires and asking them for money
(Step One). They would then do
their part and provide a gazillion
reasons why they couldnt give
me any this wasnt a good
time, there wasnt any avail-
able, brokers like me are AL-
WAYS asking for money, they
just gave some to another broker
two days ago (Step Two). This
was followed by an assortment of
feelings (all of them bad) as I
pressed forward in the conversa-
tion (Step Three). Theyd sudden-
ly surprise me by saying OK,
lets do it, which meant they
were writing me a check (Step
Four). And lastly, Id walk away
from the conversation feeling like
I just took advantage of the poor
Easy money
COACHS CORNER
please see COACH, page 5
4 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
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MONDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
Kiwanis Club of Richmond Co.:
LaFontana Restaurant, 2879 Amboy
Rd. 7 p.m. For info, call 718-420-
1966.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: CSI, 2800
Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No
charge. For info, call the SBDC at
718-982-2560.
TUESDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
Direct120.com, Ultimate Think
Tank: Lorenzos, 1100 South Ave. For
info, visit www.direct120.com.
Kiwanis Club of South Shore:
LaFontana, 2879 Amboy Rd. 7:30
p.m. For info, call 718-370-2770.
SCORE Business Counseling: S.I.
Bank & Trust, 1550 Richmond Rd. 9
a.m. to noon. No appointment nec-
essary. No charge. For info, call 718-
727-1221.
Business Guild I of the S.I. Cham-
ber of Commerce: Hilton Garden
Inn, 1100 South Ave. 7:45 a.m. Mem-
bers and invited guests only. For
info, call Christina Fiorenza at 347-
581-5022.
Business Network Intl. (BNI) Net-
work Alliance Chapter: Z-One
Lounge, 1821 Richmond Ave. 7 to
8:30 a.m. For info, call Timothy
Houston at 718-981-8600.
Rotary Club Staten Island: LiGre-
cis Staten, 697 Forest Ave. 12:30 to
1:30 p.m. Members and guests wel-
come. For info, call 718-370-3140.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: Chamber of
Commerce, 130 Bay St. 9 a.m. No
charge. For info, call the SBDC at
718-982-2560.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: CSI, 2800
Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No
charge. For info, call the SBDC at
718-982-2560.
WEDNESDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
Staten Island Business Council:
Lorenzos at Hilton Garden Inn, 1100
South Ave. 7 a.m. Members and
invited guests only. For info, call 347-
855-4488 or send an e-mail to
info@sibizcouncil.com.
Bucks Business Network: Hamp-
ton Inn, 1120 South Ave. 7:45 a.m.
For info, call 718-351-2557 or visit
www.sibucks.com.
Kiwanis Club of Brighton: Jodys
Club Forest, 372 Forest Ave. 7:30
p.m. For info, call 718-348-0505.
Kiwanis Club of North Central:
LiGrecis Staten, 697 Forest Ave.
7:30 p.m. For info, call Len Bosso at
347-592-1937.
Rotary Club of Gateway: The Lake
Club, 1150 Clove Rd. 7:15 p.m. For
info, call 718-447-1509.
SCORE Business Counseling:
Chamber of Commerce, 130 Bay St.
9 to 11:30 a.m. Appointment neces-
sary. No charge. For info, call 718-
727-1221.
E.L.I.T.E. (Executive, Leadership,
Interactive, Team, Effort) Net-
working Group: 1110 South Ave. 8
a.m. New members welcome. For
info, call 347-273-1375.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: CSI, 2800
Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For
info, call 718-982-2560.
THURSDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
Kiwanis Club of Staten Island:
LiGrecis Staten, 697 Forest Ave.
7:30 p.m. For info, call 718-967-4345
or go to
kiwanisclubofstatenisland.com.
Rotary Club of South Shore: Mari-
na Grand, 141 Mansion Ave. 12:15 p.m.
For info, call 718-987-2061 or visit
southshorerotary.org.
Rotary Club Mid-Island: New Dako-
ta Diner, 921 Richmond Ave. 7:30 to
9:00 a.m. For info, call 718-981-
0700.
SCORE Business Counseling: SI
Bank & Trust, 1550 Richmond Rd. 9
a.m. to noon. No appointment nec-
essary. No charge. For info, call 718-
WEEKLY MEETINGS
please see MEETINGS, page 12
soul from whom I just received
some money (Step Five).
This was an ineffective pat-
tern. It made my job much harder
than it needed to be. Because I
hated running this pattern, Id
unconsciously seek to avoid it
often doing the bare minimum to
advance myself as a broker.
I even carried this pattern into
my first few years of being a
Dream Fulfillment Coach. Final-
ly, I woke up. Given the way my
clients lives were changing, I
could no longer believe in the va-
lidity of that final step because I
knew that I wasnt taking advan-
tage of anyone and that the bene-
fits of my services (what I was
giving to them), were far out-
weighing the money I was charg-
ing (what they were giving to me).
So I did some work, uncovered
this pre-existing pattern, and cre-
ated a new pattern that made re-
ceiving money easy.
I recalled as a child how I had
absolutely no problem asking for
(and receiving) money when I
was playing the game of Monop-
oly. If I were sitting with a prop-
erty that another player needed
and they were sitting with a ton of
cash, I reasoned, Without my
property they cannot make a mo-
nopoly and they cannot win the
game by bankrupting the other
players, so they need my property
and I could certainly use some of
their cash.
Plus, if I was low on cash, it
didnt worry me that they might
find out because everyone already
knew how much money everyone
else already had because it was
laying right there on the table.
While in the real world I was
sometimes concerned that by ask-
ing for money, it might be discov-
ered that I didnt have much my-
self. I didnt want to look bad so
this concern made it even harder
for me to ask. Yet these concerns
never occurred to me while play-
ing Monopoly. The other players
didnt care about that. If I had a
property they needed for a mo-
nopoly, they wanted to deal with
me and they couldnt care less
about how much money I hap-
pened to have.
Armed with these references
where asking for money was fun
and easy, I created a new neural
pattern. I began visualizing that
each time I met a prospective
client that I was bringing them
some intellectual property.
While engaging in the conversa-
tion, I would qualify them to see if
they had the other two properties
necessary to make a monopoly (in
my personal case those would be
commitment and willing-
ness).I would then describe how
it works (what you get, what it
costs). As I did this Id experience
many wonderful feelings know-
ing that what I was offering them
was worth infinitely more than
the money I was asking in return.
And finally the client would say
Lets do it, which didnt sur-
prise me at all because Of
course hes going to do it! He has
the other two properties and he
wants a Monopoly!
Then when I was actually with
a prospective client, rather than
having a great conversation for 30
minutes, then morphing them
into my father, sheepishly asking
for money, and walking away feel-
ing bad regardless of whether I
received the money or not I
began to run my effective new
pattern. And guess what? Today I
have absolutely no problem ask-
ing for and receiving money. I
even teach my business clients
fun and exciting methods that
make receiving money easy.
So what can you do with all of
this? For starters, if youve been
finding it difficult to ask for and
receive money, you can adopt my
pattern and use it as your own. If
you dont like the Monopoly pat-
tern, or arent familiar with the
game, you can create a fun new
pattern, through visualization
and real life practice, that
makes it easy for you to ask for
and receive money. Then, I imag-
ine youll have to figure out what
to do with all the money youre
about to receive. So go out and
make money, but before you do,
start by going in (by examining
your internal programming) and
make making money easy.
Coach Billy works with highly com-
mitted men & women to produce un-
precedented results in their busi-
nesses and their lives. Learn more at
www.billysparkle.com or via e-mail
at billy@billysparkle.com.
FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS TRENDS 5
Easy money
COACH
Continued from page 2
in our opinion
It matters to us all
6 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
A
s this is written, it is just over
three months since Super-
storm Sandy changed the
business landscape both literally and
figuratively on Staten Island. The
huge amount of restoration work done
in that time has only managed to
bring into sharp relief the enormity of
what remains to be done.
In the immediate aftermath of the
storm, most governmental and institu-
tional energy was focused and right-
ly so on assisting those who were left
with uninhabitable homes and, in
many cases, with nothing but the
clothes on their backs.
Affected businesses received some
small measure of assistance mostly
in the form of low-interest loans to
help, but were largely left on their own
to try to salvage their livelihood and
that of their employees.
As time passes, however, it has be-
come apparent that the Staten Island
economy is feeling the repercussions
of the loss of these businesses in the
form of lost services, lost paychecks
and lost purchasing power. Its a trick-
le-down effect that impacts the entire
community.
Thankfully, we are starting to see
some substantive attention being paid
to this situation. In recent days, there
have been several announcements that
bring hope. Among them are that the
NYC Dept. of Small Business Services
is now offering grants to small busi-
nesses for structural and equipment
repairs and the purchase of replace-
ment equipment needed for business
recovery. Since many small business
operators are unable, or rightfully hes-
itant, to add to their debt load through
loans, these grants may mean the dif-
ference between survival and closing
down. And the 5-Boro Chamber Al-
liance announced that Midland Beach
and South Beach will be among the re-
cipients of a series of programs that
include providing direct commercial
revitalization services to shopping dis-
tricts.
We hope these are just the start of
many more efforts to restore, retain
and expand businesses that are at the
heart of the Staten Island economy.
Their destiny matters to us all.
66 Willow Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10305
347-682-4867
JANET WARREN DUGO
Publisher
TIM RONALDSON
Executive Editor
STEVE COPPOLA
Director
RICHARD GRADO
Director
ROBERT CUTRONA
Director
LAWRENCE RAMPULLA
Director
DAN McDONOUGH, JR.
Chairman
Business Trends is mailed each month to the
business and community leaders of Staten
Island. To be added to the mailing list, e-
mail janet@sibiztrends.com. To submit a
news release, email news@sibiztrends.com.
For advertising info, call 347-682-4867 or
email janet@sibiztrends.com.
By BILL DUBOVSKY
Situation
The beginning of the year is a good time
to see what new technologies, trends and
products are coming and to see how many
actually make it to reality. In the past weve
discussed VoIP, cloud computing and smart
phones that did arrive and made a differ-
ence. I discussed driverless cars made and
used in Germany ready to go except for
legal issues. While Apple products have
never ceased to amaze us, few observers
would have seen the bottom fall out of the
personal computer market with IBM sell-
ing to Lenovo, Dell looking to go private,
and HP reshuffling product lines.
From current newsletters, blogs and re-
search papers, here are four trends for
your consideration:
Trend #1: Human Browers/servers
Harry S. Dent Jr., first brought out this
concept in the late 1990s when he suggested
that even with the Internet, search en-
gines, and the explosion in information, we
will need human experts, more than ever,
to make sense of it all. It turns out that spe-
cialists and bloggers are even more impor-
tant for users to work with to sift through
all the hype and reality. Amazons users tell
us how they liked the product or service,
Yelp! also rates establishments with
human comments. This is particularly
good news for older professionals with lots
of real-world experience as their knowl-
edge cant be easily replaced by data bases
and professionals with less time in the sad-
dle. Older professionals who can master
new media will be able to capitalize on
their years of success as well as steer oth-
ers clear of avoidable mistakes.
Trend #2: Breakthroughs
in material science
According to trade journals and academ-
ic papers, self-cleaning and self-repairing
materials will be great time and money
savers. There are already cotton fabrics
that will rid themselves of stains and bac-
teria in normal sunlight, as well as self-
clean materials that can be used in patio
furniture, paints and coatings for glass sur-
faces that will reduce or eliminate cleaning
and even cars that never need to be
washed! Self-sanitizing surfaces will create
a major decline in hospital infections over
the next 10 years.
Trend #3: Bio-Nanoprinting
Creating new life forms on demand to be
delivered via the Internet. The logical next
step from 3-D printing and prototyping
technologies. Some experts predict that
this new technology will grow into a $3 bil-
lion industry by 2018. Scientists can al-
ready create custom organisms via se-
quencing the DNA of a simple bacterium.
The next step will be to send this data over
the Internet. Uses could include: sending
vaccine information via email to pharma-
cies around the world instantly and they
would be able to print or assemble the ac-
tual vaccine at their site, much the way we
can print out many copies of a letter or
brochure. This would be very useful in
combating bio-terrorism, only making
enough vaccine when needed and not
stockpiling and having to destroy doses
Four amazing technology trends for 2013
BITS & BYTES
please see BITS, page 7
FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS TRENDS 7
that are not used in time, creation
of personalized medicines, and
the decreased costs of produc-
tion, storage and distribution of
these substances.
Trend #4: Ubiquitous computing
According to authors Lucas,
Ballay, and McManus in their
2012 book Trillions: Thriving in
the Emerging Information Ecolo-
gy, as of 2012, the world produces
10 billion microprocessors per
year, with most not going into
computers and cellphones, but
being embedded in everyday
products such as microwaves,
washing machines, automobiles
and watches even electric tooth-
brushes. The new Internet of
Things will connect 50 billion de-
vices, machines and objects to
start off and will quickly morph
into a network of incredible
power. Some everyday samples
of communicating with things:
lose your car key? send it a text
message and itll reply with a
message that will tell you its loca-
tion.
The milk in your refrigerator
getting funky? Your refrigerator
will send you a message. Same
with monitoring your health, self-
driving cars, efficient metering of
energy, water, etc., to get best
rates and reduce waste, as well as
tailor-made marketing messages
(no junk mail) based upon your
interests, activities and location.
Bottom-line
These are just a few areas
which are coming into maturity
within the last two years or so.
For more information on hot
trends for investing, employment
opportunities or business ven-
tures, check out TED.COM or
Google Trends eMagazine. Ex-
citing times are upon us. Be well,
be happy.
Bill Dubovsky - Comtel Information
Services, has a proven track record
of business success spanning over
30 years in helping hundreds of or-
ganizations improve their profitabili-
ty. He is the principal technology
specialist with Comtel Information
Services, a New York based telecom-
munications consulting firm, and an
adjunct lecturer in business at the
College of Staten Island, C.U.N.Y.
Contact him at
billdubovsky@gmail.com.
Technology trends for 2013
BITS
Continued from page 6
By DR. THEODORE STRANGE
February is the shortest month
of the year, but it can have the
longest impact on your life.
Its American Heart Month, a
nationwide movement in support
of healthier communities and
healthier lives. And all across the
U.S. the American Heart Associa-
tion and health-care organiza-
tions are giving heart health and
stroke prevention the main stage.
Its so important that in 2003,
the AHA and the Occupational
Safety and Health Administra-
tion formed an alliance focused
on reducing death and disability
from heart disease and stroke in
the work place.
To make awareness and pre-
vention part of your business
plan, think about heart health
with choices.
Suggestion #1: Surprise your
Valentine this year with dark
chocolate its known to lower
blood pressure and is loaded with
powerful antioxidants. And like I
always say: bringing your lunch
to work can save you money and
can help save your life. Choose
healthy alternatives to fast food
and increase your intake of
grilled meats, fish, green leafy
Your business plan:
A matter of heart
HEALTH-CARE TRENDS
please see HEALTH, page 13
8 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
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Community Service Awards
Special to Business Trends
At a recent event, the Staten Island Not-for-Profit Association presented Community Service Awards to
recognize individuals who work to improve non-profit organizations on Staten Island. They are: in the
back row, from left: Johanna Schimdt-Rice, Staten Island Childrens Museum; Jimmy Cerrato, Snug Har-
bor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden; Stacie Mathies, Jewish Community Center of Staten Island;
Jesse Peterford, Lavelle Preparatory Charter School; Charles Mazzeo, Reality Check; Shirley Dunn, Eden
II Programs; Jane Jackson, Project Hospitality; in the front row, from left: Ann Kalil, Richmond Choral
Society; Janet Klein, Staten Island Mental Health Society; Jodie Kornblum, Jewish Community Center of
Staten Island; Joseph Gloznek, SCORE; and Susan Ribaudo, Eden II Programs. Not pictured is Beryl
Clark of Staten Island Mental Health Society.
Here's a revenue-boosting
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Decades-old Dome Property Man-
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tan area, is offering an unprece-
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number of vendors and mer-
chants to share in their success.
The newly introduced Dome
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opportunity to expand their cus-
tomer bases for free. Theres
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count to club participants on the
Dome Savings Clubs Offer
Board. That's it. Nothing more. A
nominal one-time set-up fee,
which includes a place on the
clubs online Offer Board, is the
only cost. This is a winning situ-
ation for everyone involved, said
Michael Motelson, president of
Dome Property Management.
ALL PARTIES BENEFIT
Here's why:
(1) The businesses in the Dome
Savings Club may incorporate
marketing incentives that work
best for them, such as dollars-off
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free gifts or services, or other
strategies that have successfully
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prised of well over 10,000 potential
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(2) Homeowners and communities
under Domes management bene-
fit from the dollars they save on
top-quality products and services.
(3) Dome Property Management,
notably Staten Islands premier
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benefits from directly interacting
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providing a greatly appreciated
advantage to the many condo com-
munities it services.
Founded in 1987, Dome Proper-
ty Management manages over 100
condominium and homeowners
association communities, mostly
on Staten Island, and is the
biggest such operation in the bor-
ough. Dome provides comprehen-
sive property management servic-
es to many types of properties and
complexes, from under 10 to more
than 500 units, and includes many
building types and individually
owned homes. For now, the Dome
Savings Club is being marketed
solely to its Staten Island condo
communities.
DISTINGUISHED
MEMBERS
Time Warner Cable was the first
to participate in the club, with an
offer to supply participating
condo residents a savings of more
than $60 per month with bulk-rate
pricing. Additional members
include national companies, such
as Wells Fargo Home Mortgage,
and reputable local merchants,
such as Jealan Fireplaces. Even
Dome itself has joined in by offer-
ing preferred pricing and
enhanced services to the residents
of participating communities.
Now that the word is out, it is
likely representatives of the auto-
motive, banking, medical, finan-
cial and restaurant industries will
soon come on board. Dome should
also expect to hear from numer-
ous home-services businesses,
such as landscaping, contracting,
plumbing, electrical, woodwork-
ing, painting, multi-service and
product suppliers, and others.
Given the assortment of com-
munities and properties we man-
age, and the many goods and serv-
ices they and their residents con-
sume, businesses offering a wide
array of products and services
can benefit from participating,
said Enid Motelson, senior vice
president of Dome Property Man-
agement.
SOLID REPUTATION
IS A MUST
If you are interested in participat-
ing in the Dome Savings Club as a
merchant or vendor, be aware that
not every business will qualify.
Only businesses with a stellar
reputation for product, customer-
service and integrity will be con-
sidered, Michael Motelson said.
By simply providing a discount to
Domes customers in these tough
economic times, quality mer-
chants, service providers and ven-
dors can strengthen the loyalty of
their existing customers and
attract and build relationships
with new prospects.
For additional information,
Dome Property
Management may be reached at
718-605-2500,
e-mail at DomeProp@
DomeGroup.com, and
visited online
at www.DomeGroup.com. The
Dome Savings Clubs Offer
Board can be found at
www.DomeGroup.com/dscOffers.
The company is headquartered at
109 Winant Place,
Staten Island, NY 10309.
Current Participants:
Dome Savings Club connects businesses
to thousands of potential customers for free
Advertisement
The Tides at Charleston, the first active-adult community of its kind in metropolitan New York, is one of over 100 condominium and home-
owners association communities benefitting from the extensive services provided by Dome Property Management.
Dome Property Management provides com-
prehensive property management services
to many types of properties and complexes,
from under 10 to more than 500 units, and
includes many building types and individual-
ly owned homes.
10 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
We have over 25 years of experience working with
small businesses and individuals just like you.
95
New Dorp Lane Staten Island, NY 10306
718-980-9000
Put this experience to work for you by giving us a call today!
Income Tax Preparation: Business and Individual
Visit our website at www.ventocpa.com
To learn more about who we are and to gain fast and easy access to a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators and research reports.
Do you have any New York Liquor License issues?
Then call
NEIL M. VISOKY
Attorney at Law
Retired Lieutenant, NYCPD
License Transfers and Applications
Summonses and Disciplinary Defense
Renewals/Alterations
The Corporate Park
1110 South Avenue, Suite 54 Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel 347-273-1356 Fax 347-273-1456 Email nmv66@aol.com
Successor of
Alexander Weiss, Esq.
Former Deputy Commissioner
New York State Liquor Authority
Special Tees going strong
Special to Business Trends
Special Tees, New York Citys original screen printing program employing people with disabilities, is still
going strong. Despite the recent confusion generated by the media coverage of the closing of Possibili-
Tees at MIV Mount Loretto, Special Tees and its employees are alive and well and doing more business
than ever. Designed to provide vocational training and employment in all aspects of screen-printing for
people who were traditionally considered unemployable because of their diagnosis, Special Tees
merged with Community Resources in 1995. Special Tees has hit the one million dollar sales mark for the
past three consecutive years and counts Saturday Night Live, the Gourmet Garage, the Jimmy Fallon
Show, and NYC Department of Housing among its better known customers. Here, some Special Tees em-
ployees show off the T-shirts they are producing to raise funds for Hurricane Sandy survivors.
12 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
Contact our Commercial Division for
more information about:
Sales & Leasing Investment Property
Multi-dwellings Industrial/Manufacturing
Retail Space Raw Land
Warehouses 1031 Exchanges
Office Buildings
Your gateway to better business and better living on Staten Island
285 St. Mark's Place Staten Island, NY 10301
718-273-3800
www.gatewayarmsrealty.com
Our Knowledge, Experience, Teamwork + Integrity =
Results for You
Now Available
St. George - 29,730 sq. ft. 5-story commercial office
building with 38 off-street parking spaces. Across from
new court house. Banks Welcome!! Only Drive-Thru
opportunity in St. George. Call Robert for details.
Asking $6,475,000 - 7 % Cap Rate.
30,000 SF Warehouse. (Industrial Loop) Approx. 15,000 SF
per floor with mezzanine level for storage. Total usable 45,
000 SF can be subdivided 4 rentals with 20 ceilings.
Currently equipped with 3 loading docks, 1 overhead door &
off-street parking. Ask for Robert for more details at Ext.17.
INVESTM
ENT
IND
U
STRIAL
COMMERCIAL RETAIL & OFFICE SPACE
ST. GEORGE Stuyvesant Place 500-20,000 SF $21-26 RSF
ST. GEORGE Bay Street 1,800 SF $15-23 RSF
ST. GEORGE Bay Street 1,000 SF $24 RSF
WEST BRIGHTON Richmond Terrace 1,000-15,000 SF $15 RSF
WEST BRIGHTON Prime Forest Avenue 1,000 SF $21 RSF
WEST BRIGHTON Lower level-Forest Ave. 800-4,000 SF $15 RSF
MUD LANE Vanduzer Street 2,400 SF $17.50 RSF
RETAIL
ST. GEORGE/St. Marks Pl.
(IDEAL FOR Bank with drive-thru) 2,700 SF $40 RSF
ST. GEORGE/St. Marks Pl.
(IDEAL FOR Bank or Community Facility) 4,000 SF $25 RSF
PORT RICHMOND/Port Richmond Ave.
(IDEAL FOR Church, Restaurant/Deli) 3,750 SF $13 RSF
WAREHOUSE
CHARLESTON Industrial Loop 5,000-8,000 SF $12.00 RSF
MARINERS HARBOR Arlington Avenue 800-2,000 SF $8-10.00 RSF
For Lease
FOUNDATION FINANCIAL
ADVI5OR5
RNALD I. CITRNL
A!tiscr Circc 1983
718-727-5100
Visit us on the Web at www.sibiztrends.com
727-1221.
Rotary Club of North Shore: LiGre-
cis Staten, 697 Forest Ave. 7 p.m.
For info, call Chris Williams at 718-
442-9047.
Business Network Intl. (BNI) High
Achievers Chapter: PKs Restau-
rant,1281 Arthur Kill Rd. 7 to 8:30
a.m. For info, call Timothy Houston
at 718-981-8600.
Business Guild II of the S.I. Cham-
ber of Commerce: Hilton Garden
Inn, 1100 South Ave. 7:45 to 8:45
a.m. Members and invited guests
only. For info, call Bob Williams at
718-356-1952.
Business Guild III of the SI Cham-
ber of Commerce: Hilton Garden
Inn, 1100 South Ave. 7:30 a.m. New
members welcome. Call Melody
Minkoff at 718-370-0040.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: CSI, 2800
Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For
info, call 718-982-2560.
Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT): 7 p.m. For info. and
locations, call John Tidona at 718-
448-7160 or e-mail
portrichcert@yahoo.com.
FRIDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
SATURDAY
SCORE Business Counseling: St.
George Library, 5 Central Ave. 10
a.m. to noon. Appointment neces-
sary. No charge. For info, call 718-
442-8560.
SCORE Business Counseling: Rich-
mondtown Library, 200 Clarke Ave.
10 to 11:30 a.m. Appointment neces-
sary. For info, call 718-668-0413.
Meeting
MEETINGS
Continued from page 4
FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS TRENDS 13
Visit us on the Web at www.sibiztrends.com
vegetables and fruits.
Suggestion #2: Employers. In-
spect the Automated External De-
fibrillator in your office and have
a trained practitioner perform a
refresher course for the staff. The
life it saves can be your own.
We all know that being the boss
has its perks; but did you know it
can also reduce the risk of heart
attack? A recent Harvard study
showed that bosses are less likely
to suffer a heart attack, because
being at the top offers a height-
ened sense of control. Conversely,
employees that are being bossed
around are at an increased risk.
So to all you bosses out there
take it easy on your staff. Youll
get more productivity out of
them.
Know the facts that save lives:
When it comes to stroke, remem-
ber time lost is brain lost. The
first three hours of any stroke
vent are the most crucial. If you
or someone you know is present-
ing signs or symptoms of a stroke
you need to get to a hospital
ASAP. Getting to a hospital dur-
ing this time can greatly reduce
the effects of a stroke by possibly
receiving clot-busting medica-
tions.
So from now on remember:
February is all about matters of
the heart that matter for you and
your business.
Theodore Strange is Staten Island
University Hospital associate chair-
man of medicine and vice president
of medical operations/South Site. He
may be reached at (718) 356-6500.
Its a
matter
of heart
HEALTH
Continued from page 7
14 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
WBCLDC SEMINAR:
DIGITAL TOOLS FOR
SMALL BUS. PART I
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Time: 6 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Location: 705 Forest Ave., 2nd Fl.
For information, call 718-816-4775
WBCLDC SEMINAR:
DIGITAL TOOLS FOR
SMALL BUS. PART II
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Time: 6 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Location: 705 Forest Ave., 2nd Fl.
For information, call 718-816-4775
NYS WOMEN, INC.
(RICHMOND CNTY.)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Bella Vita Caf, 1919 Hylan
Blvd.
For information, call 718-816-5991
HOME IMPROVEMENT
CONTRACTORS MTG.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: LiGrecis Staaten, 697
Forest Ave.
For information, call 718-356-2323
RICHMOND CNTY.
BANKERS ASSOC.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Location: Mikes Place, 4677 Hylan
Blvd.
For information, call 718-370-7037
POWERFUL YOU!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Richmond Diner, 3954
Richmond Ave.
For information, call 718-948-0074
SI MUSEUM: CICADA
EXHIBIT PREVIEW
PARTY
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Time: 6:00 9:00 p.m.
Location: 75 Stuyvesant Pl.
For information, call 718-483-7113
BENEFIT: I <3 NYC
ARTS CYPHER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: 12 Broad St.
For information, call 718-981-8510
SBDC SEMINAR: 2013
FED & NY TAX LAW
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Time: 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Location: CSI, 2800 Victory Blvd.,
Ctr. For Arts
For information, call 718-982-2560
NYS WOMEN, INC.
(STATEN ISLAND)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: LiGrecis Staaten, 697
Forest Ave.
For information, call 718-226-6462
BUSINESS LEADERS
TOASTMASTERS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: 43 Ramona Ave.
For information, call Arlene Trunzo
at 718-317-0949
Business Calendar
please see EVENTS, page 16
16 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
GENERAL CONTRACTORS | KITCHEN & BATH | HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING | SECURITY SYSTEMS | CONTRACTORS
CONCRETE BRICKS & PAVERS | LANDSCAPER | COMPUTER & SOFTWARE | PLUMBING | FLOORING | WINDOWS & DOORS
HOME AUTOMATION & HOME THEATER | PAINTING | TILE | ROOFING & SIDING | SCREEN ROOMS | AND MANY MORE
March 2nd & 3rd
IcaturIng 50 Vcndors
STATEN SLANO MALL

fromNARI-HICofStatenIsland
718-356-2323 | www.hicofsi.org
ENTER TO W
INA
5
5
0
0
ShoppIng
S
P
B
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L
Statcn
IsIand
NaII
ATTENTION:
Contractors and AffiIiated Businesses

Call 718-356-2323
to Iearn how
Get certified as a Minority or Women Business Enterprise!
Thanks to a local law, New York City agencies are directed to buy
more goods and services from City-certified M/WBE`s.
If you have ever thought about selling, to government, now is a great
time to become a City-certified M/WBE!
City-certified M/WBE`s get:
Free guidance on selling to the government
Free advertising in the Online Directory of Certified Businesses
Invitations to exclusive events with City buyers and prime contractors
This program was made possible by the New York City Council
For more information on SBS M/WBE programs, please visit
www.nyc.gov/getcertified
The West Brighton Community Local Development Corporation (West Brighton
LDC) has been named a member of the New York City Council supported 2012
M/WBE Leadership Association. The West Brighton LDC located at 705 Forest
Avenue, 2nd Floor-Rear, has tools, knowledge, and experience to get you started.
For more information on getting certified, call us today at 718-816-4775, email
nina@westbrightonldc.com or visit www.nyc.gov/getcertified.
NETWORKING PLUS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Time: 8:15 a.m.
Location: Golden Dove, 3281 Rich-
mond Ave.
For information, call 718-966-6289
COMMUNITY
RESOURCES 11TH
ANNUAL PASTA BOWL
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Time: 9:00 a.m.
For information, call 718-447-5200
x206
24-7
NETWORKING SALES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Z-One Restaurant, Rich-
mond Ave.
For information, call 973-697-8872
WORLD OF WOMEN
MONTHLY MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Marina Grand, Mansion
Ave.
For information, call 718-948-8175
CHAMBER: BUSINESS
AFTER HOURS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Time: 5:30 7:30 p.m.
Location: Berlin Lodge, 1465 Manor
Rd.
For information, call 718-727-1900
WBCLDC SEMINAR:
BECOME A
CERTIFIED MWBE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Time: 10 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
Location: 705 Forest Ave., 2nd Fl.
For information, call 718-816-4775
PARAMOUNT ORAL
SURGERY STUDY CLUB
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: 201 Edward Curry Ave.,
Suite 101
For information, call 347-354-2228
NEW DAY
TOASTMASTERS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: SI Univ. Hosp., Seaview
Ave.
For information, call 347-265-1161
Business calendar
EVENTS
Continued from page 14
Visit us on the Web at
www.sibiztrends.com
FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS TRENDS 17
FIREBIRD FIREPLACE & CHIMNEY CONTRACTORS
Fireplaces are not only an aesthetic anchor in most homes today, but have become a necessity for a second source of off-the-grid heating.
They are one of the most sought-after and considered upgrades in every home.
We will be on hand to answer questions and give free consultations on Fireplace Design, including Custom Mantels and Stonework.
You will come away with a better understanding of function, mood and harmony.
Come and find out how to cost effectively improve your quality of life.
We will have much information available and unprecedented access to real answers to tough problems, as well as general questions.
We will also be fielding service and technical issues for gas burning fireplaces and wood burning fireplaces including chimney and venting
solutions.
We represent the largest body of work of Fireplace and Chimney Contractors in our field on Staten Island, with technical education and
trade certifications spanning 35 years.
We can bring you a tremendous value in experience and expertise with our combined talent in design, construction and service.
So why not drop by and have a chat with the experts. We're looking forward to seeing you there.
THE FIREBIRD SWEEP, INC.
Great Kills Box# 218 55 Nelson Ave Staten Island, NY
Phone 718-356-1747 www.rebirdsweep.com
Professional Chimney & Fireplace Contractors
H.l.C. Lic# 818125
S T A T E N I S L A N D
C H A P T E R
Don't make an ash of yourself!
Don't miss this unprecedented
opportunity to see us at the Staten
IsIand Home Improvement
Contractors/NationaI Association of
RemodeIers Trade Show in The Staten
IsIand MaII on March 2nd & 3rd.
DOORS ACTING UP?
WE CAN HELP!
(718) 447-7338
Doors Repaired Door Closers Repaired/Replaced
Locks Installed Home or Business
Licensed, bonded, fully insured
Frank-Key Services
97 Quintard Street Staten Island, NY 10305
Ask about our
high security
lock options
F
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U.S. Chamber visits Staten Island
JANET DUGO/Business Trends
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent a delegation to tour areas of Staten Island devastated by Super-
storm Sandy, to hear about local relief efforts, and to assess ways they might assist. Pictured, SI Not-
for-Profit Association Executive Director Vin Lenza explains the ways his membership have been work-
ing to address needs, as SI Chamber Board Chair Ralph Branca of Victory State Bank, LauraJean Wat-
ters of the SI Foundation and Mary McLaughlin of the SI Chamber look on.
By JOHN J. VENTO
As you assemble the paper-
work youll need to file your 2012
tax return, take a minute to re-
view some last-minute moves you
could make to cut last years tax
bill. Also, pay attention to deduc-
tions you shouldnt overlook.
Heres a quick checklist.
The American Taxpayer Relief
Act, signed into law on January 2,
2013, has some tax-savers for 2012.
The law restored for 2012 through
2013 the following tax breaks:
n The optional deduction for
state and local sales taxes in lieu
of deducting state and local in-
come taxes
n The above-the-line deduction
for up to $4,000 for qualified tu-
ition and related expenses
n The above-the-line deduction
for up to $250 of classroom sup-
plies purchased by teachers
n The exclusion from income
for cancellation of mortgage debt
of up to $2 million on a principal
residence.
n The deduction for mortgage
insurance premiums.
n The tax credit for making en-
ergy-saving home improvements.
If youre in business, the new
law included some tax breaks you
shouldnt overlook. The first-year
expensing option for equipment
purchases in 2012 was increased
to $500,000, with a $2,000,000 total
limit.
The research tax credit, the
work opportunity credit, and the
15-year recovery period for quali-
fied leasehold and retail improve-
ments and qualified restaurant
property were all made available
for 2012.
If you qualify, you have until
April 15 to make a deductible 2012
IRA contribution. The maximum
2012 contribution is $5,000 if
youre under age 50 and $6,000 if
youre 50 or older.
The $2,500 deduction for stu-
dent loan interest is still available
for 2012 and can be taken even if
you dont itemize deductions on
your return.
The tax law gets more compli-
cated every time Congress passes
another bill, but dont let your tax
bill creep higher than necessary
through oversight.
John J. Vento is a certified public
accountant in private practice and
president of Comprehensive Wealth
Management, Ltd. He may be
reached at (718) 980-9000 or via
email at john@ventocpa.com.
18 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013


s
t
a
tena
r
t
s
Staten Arts Photography
www.statenartsphotography.com
Steve White
6 Genesee Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10308
Phone: 718.317.5025
Cell: 917.446.4029
Email: statenarts@aol.com
Weddings
Sweet 16s
Anniversaries
Birthday Parties
Much much more!
..................................
Dont miss these tax-cutters
Visit us on the Web at
www.sibiztrends.com
FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS TRENDS 19
Become a
DOME SAVINGS
CLUB VENDOR
and reach thousands
of potential customers!
For more information, call
(718) 605-2500
www.domegroup.com
Dome Property Management - managers of
over 100 condo and homeowners association
communities - is now accepting vendors and
merchants to participate in the Dome Savings
Club, an "offer board" of discounted services
and products for the communities it serves.
Join national companies like Time Warner
Cable, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and local
businesses like Jealan Fireplaces and The Pool
Therapist. To learn more, visit the Offer Board
at www.DomeGroup.com/dscOffers.
Better |otes - Better 3erv|oe
71B2265300
www.Mortgoge1eoh.net
4459 ^mboy |ooo, 3u|te 1, 3toten |s|ono, NY 10312
Broker NMLS ID 8162. Registered Mortgage Broker NYS Dept. of Financial Services. All loans arranged
through Third Party Providers. Agent Funding & Abstract LLC DBA Mortgage Tech Home Finance.
1140 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10301
Tel: 718.370.3464
Fax: 718.370.3462
www.paulofinancialadvisors.com
Money Management
Retirement
Financial Consulting
Estate Planning
Parisi Rampulla & Lenza, P.C.
78 Martin Avenue | Staten Island, NY, 10314
(718) 761-3333
Short Sales, Mortgage Modification,
Foreclosure Defense
Visit us on the Web at www.sibiztrends.com
HENRY SALMON
Big Tent Judaism/Jewish
Outreach Institute
Big Tent Judaism/Jewish Out-
reach Institute announced that
Henry Salmon has joined its
board of directors. Salmon
earned a Bachelors Degree in
real estate and urban develop-
ment from American University
and an MBA in finance and mar-
keting from Cornell University.
Since 1985, he has been presi-
dent and chief appraiser for Equi-
ty Valuation Associates, Inc., a
firm that performs commercial,
industrial, and residential real es-
tate appraisals in New York and
New Jersey.
He has served in numerous
leadership positions and won
multiple awards for his service to
Staten Island and beyond. He is
immediate past board chair of
the Staten Island Museum and
winner of the museums Leng
and David Award.
ANDREW C. CARRO
Point Vantage Employee
Benefits & Financial Services
Point Vantage Employee Bene-
fits & Financial Services an-
nounced the appointment of An-
drew C. Carro as vice president of
its newly-established Property &
Casualty Division, where he will
specialize in commercial, person-
al and professional liability insur-
ance and workers compensation.
Carro served in the United States
Army and graduated from Fort
Sill, Okla., in 2005 as a fire sup-
port specialist. He ended his ca-
reer with the U.S. Army in 2008,
graduating as a sergeant.
He then attended Phos Insti-
tute for Insurance graduating
with a license in property and ca-
sualty insurance.
ELIZABETH (LIBBY) TRAYNOR
Staten Island Mental Health Society
The Staten Island Mental
Health Society has named Eliza-
beth (Libby) Traynor, LCSW, as
its new senior vice president for
behavioral health services. This
division of the SIMHS is com-
prised of 14 mental health and re-
lated programs that last year
served 2,500 children and
teenagers, and their families.
Traynor had been the director
of both the SIMHSs On-Site
School-Based Mental Health Pro-
gram, and its Summer Therapeu-
tic Program since 2006, after
serving as assistant director of
both programs for the previous
two years.
She began her career at the
mental health society in 1998 as a
senior social worker and supervi-
sor at the agencys St. George-
based PASS and Teen Center pro-
grams, where she provided alco-
hol/substance abuse prevention
and treatment services to adoles-
cents.
Traynor received a BA from
Marquette University in Milwau-
kee, Wisc,, and a Masters degree
in social work from New York
University. She attended Rutgers
University for alcohol/substance
abuse training and participated
in the Executive Director Train-
ing Program at the Baruch Col-
lege School of Public Service &
Education & the Partnership for
After-School Education.
She has also served as co-chair
of the NYC Citywide Committee
of School-Based Mental Health
Providers.
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
On Your Mark
The founder of On Your Mark,
the Staten Island-based charity
that responds to the needs of
those with development disabili-
ties and their families, has retired
from his longtime post as execu-
tive director. Eugene Spatz
launched the organization in
1979.
Filling the gap left by Spatzs
departure is newly-elected West-
erleigh resident John Bilotti. An
alumnus of New York University
School of Continuing Education
and Pace University, Bilotti has
been working on behalf of On
Your Mark since being elected to
its board of directors in 2004.
Since then, he has served as a
board chairman, member of the
On Your Mark Executive Board
and, most recently, as the organi-
zations associate executive direc-
tor.
Also, recently appointed to On
Your Mark executive posts are:
Joseph DeVivo of West Brighton,
associate executive director; and
James Allocco of New Dorp,
deputy executive director.
on the job
land, Lajka didnt have flood in-
surance for his salon. While the
store suffered wind damage that
would have been covered by his
insurance, it wasnt enough to
justify filing a claim and paying
his deductible. Grants and FEMA
assistance werent options.
When I walked in, it was very
upsetting, he said. I sat there
for about a half hour, going
through a kind of grief.
Lajka had no choice. If he
wanted to re-open Avanti Hair
Salon, he would have to do it with
his own money, with the help of
friends, family and the Staten Is-
land community. Volunteers
helped the salons staff clean the
building, removing mud, power
washing the building, disinfect-
ing the inside and drying it out.
For 15 straight days, from morn-
ing to night, the group worked re-
lentlessly to allow the salon to re-
open, at least in part, as soon as
possible.
We did pretty well, thanks to
the support we got, Lajka said.
It was an amazing thing to see
something like that come togeth-
er. Im trying to bring back the
memories. I dont like to think of
what happened. I like to think for-
ward. We need to look to tomor-
row and see how we can put
things together.
Avanti Hair Salon was one of
the first businesses in the region
to re-open following the storm.
After those 15 days of cleanup,
Lajka opened half the store to
clients, who were happy to return
and support the business. While
clients were being served on one
half, the other half was being re-
furbished. Today, the salon is fully
operational.
If I didnt have family and
friends come, I wouldnt have
been able to move forward at all,
Lajka said.
The spirit of Staten Islanders
has shone through during the
storms aftermath, with stories of
volunteerism and lending a help-
ing hand abounding everywhere
you go. Even those who were af-
fected the most by Sandy have
given back in their own special
way. On Sunday, Jan. 13, Lajka
held a benefit at the salon for
Sandy victims, and he hopes to be
able to continue to provide such
support.
Its the greatest feeling in the
world to help out others. Its not
about how much you get; its the
feeling that we were able to give
back, he said. You see it on TV,
you see it in newspapers, but
when it hits you, you know the
real feeling. Hearing what our
people went through, and seeing
what they went throughits not
fair whats happening on this Is-
land over here, as far as help from
anyone.
Avanti Hair Salon was able to
bounce back so quickly because
of this community support, and
because Lajkas friends and fami-
ly were so willing to help. And,
much like hes done for his entire
professional life, Lajka isnt sit-
ting back and relaxing now that
hes back on his feet. Hes plan-
ning another expansion to the
salon that will allow it to provide
a wider array of services and
bring it up to date with the
newest features.
Staten Islanders have given
me so much, and I want to give as
much as I can back to them,
Lajka said. We have to move for-
ward and give the best we can
with the times we have ahead.
20 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
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FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS TRENDS 21
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Staten Island Chamber inducts new board of directors
JANET DUGO/Business Trends
The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce inducted a new Board of Directors during a breakfast meeting
at the Grand Oaks Country Club. Pictured are the newly-installed Executive Board: Chairman Ralph
Branca of Victory State Bank, attorney Annamarie Gentile, architect Glen Cutrona and Michael Assenza
of Stat-Land Security Systems.
and repair.
Right now, were just in the
process of helping our businesses
get back on their feet, said Linda
Baran, president and CEO of the
Staten Island Chamber of Com-
merce.
There were 1,000 businesses lo-
cated in Zone A, the area of the
city that includes all low-lying
coastal areas, according to the
citys Economic Development
Corporation. But businesses in
Zone B, and even some in Zone C,
were affected by the storm as
well.
Those that were affected had to
replace big-ticket electrical and
equipment items, inventory and
wiring within their buildings.
With a lack of financial assis-
tance from insurance or FEMA,
most businesses that have re-
opened, or plan to, fended for
themselves.
Most of the people that are up
and running again have dipped
into their own pocket to do so,
Baran said. Money is a need.
There are time constraints, but
businesses need capital. Cash
flow is a big problem.
For the real estate market, 2012
was a year of recovery in its own
right, and while the market was
trending upward as the year
closed, the short- and long-term
effect the storm will have on the
industry is uncertain.
Its hard to say what (the
storm-effected) areas going to
look like, market wise. Its too
soon just yet, said Traci A. Can-
giano, president of the Staten Is-
land Board of Realtors. Were
seeing a soft recovery and a soft
flow in the areas that were affect-
ed.
The Staten Island real estate
market has been on an upswing
for the past few quarters. Decem-
ber saw a 14.8 percent increase in
closings over the year before, a 5.4
percent increase in median sales
price and a 27.9 percent drop in
inventory. New listings in the bor-
ough decreased by 21.5 percent,
and pending sales increased 20.8
percent.
Cangiano, who has been in the
real estate business for 14 years
and has been a broker/owner for
almost seven, said low interest
rates have significantly driven
the uptick in the local market.
The market was moving at a fast
pace coming out of summer and
into the fall, but the storm defi-
nitely stopped everything in its
tracks, she said.
Deals that were under contract
had to get another inspection
completed post-storm to ensure
they were still OK to close, and
others had to be halted altogether
because of the damage.
Still, Cangiano said she expects
the boroughs real estate market
to bounce back nicely as the dust
continues to settle.
Over at the Chamber, Baran
and her team are doing their best
to serve as an information re-
source and referral center for
businesses throughout the Island.
The Chamber has connected busi-
nesses with National Grid for
boiler replacement grant pro-
grams, for example, and is work-
ing with the Five-Borough Cham-
ber to receive recovery funding
from TD Bank.
The Chamber and other busi-
ness organizations are just begin-
ning the conversations about how
the coastline can recover from
Sandy, but a lot of what happens
depends on how the federal gov-
ernment ends up labeling the
flood zones, Baran said.
Locally, I believe that people
want our neighborhoods to be
built to withstand future storms,
she said. Personally, Im con-
cerned that when the money
comes down that, as an outer bor-
ough, were able to get the
money.
Aside from post-storm recov-
ery, Baran said the Chamber is fo-
cused on educating themselves
and their members about the
state health exchange, which will
go into effect in January 2014.
New details about the program
are coming down the pipeline
every day, she said, so theyre
working on versing themselves to
better serve their members.
In addition, the Chamber will
continue to press on relief from
tolls a constituency will travel to
Albany for that purpose this
month and keep a keen eye on
this years mayoral election.
But as hard as anyone tries to
turn elsewhere, the main focus
for Staten Island for the foresee-
able future will be on the bor-
oughs continued recovery from
Hurricane Sandy.
Were a resilient town. When
Staten Island recovers, as a
whole, well see a complete mar-
ket recovery as well, Cangiano
said. With everybody working
togetherwere trying to put our
Island back together.
22 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2013
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OUTLOOK
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