POMPTON LAKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

On January 19,1925, the Pompton Lakes Chamber of Commerce was created to give local businesses the representation and support they needed to grow and stay strong in the booming post-war economy. The first three founding fathers were John Martoccia, Edwin Merrill, who became the first president of the Chamber, and Isador Gelman of Gelman's Department Store.

Early Chamber accomplishments include the lighting of the falls, the filling-in and paving of the pond hole area, changing it from a dismal swamp to a much needed parking lot, and the conversion of the train station into the Businessman's Bus Station to benefit area commuters.

The ideas and traditions established by the first Chamber are the same held by today's Chamber of Commerce. It's a vibrant, strong group of men and women working for the betterment of the town in which they live. In 1995 the Chamber is responsible for Street Festivals & Sidewalk Sales, Holiday Stroll down main street, charity fund-raising, sponsors of Boy's & Girl's State candidates, little league soccer & baseball teams, and the maintaining and dispensing of the Chamber Blood Bank.

The Blood Bank was started in 1970 to ensure blood for every Chamber member and their family when needed due to emergency or illness. The Chamber collects and dispenses on average over 200 pints each year, all at no charge to those in need of blood.

Other benefits for members include discounts on payroll services, fire extinguisher renewals, alarm systems, street festival fees, health care and prescription drug services, and urgent care services. All in all we are out there each and every day making Pompton Lakes a better place in which to live, work, and conduct business.

Those early Chamber members recognized that success in local business depended on a strong, united Chamber of Commerce, and they worked hard to make it a reality. It was their vision that propelled Pompton Lakes to a place of prominence in the 1940's all the way up to the late 1980's. In 1995 it is our responsibility to pick up where they left off, to rekindle the dream, to re-invent the vision, to remember the promise of Pompton Lakes.

This is the celebration of 100 years of Pompton Lakes, and 70 years of the Chamber of Commerce. We are proud of the work we've done, and confident of the work we've yet to do. The Chamber continues to make Pompton Lakes a great town to do business in, for everyone. Yes, we have some challenges ahead, but we will handle them the same way the Chamber's founding father's did: head on, confident, and ready for action.