Jan 12, 2011 By Christine Haines 3 min read

BROWNSVILLE – The Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday approved the latest class of directors, with plans to elect officers in February. Named to three-year terms as directors were the Rev. Alexander Jalso, Rita Bates, Dave Polvinale, Jack Moores, Genevieve Capatosti and Mario Antonucci. William Johnson, who heads the membership committee, said next year’s slate of directors will complete the reduction in the number of directors from the original 24 members to 18. There are 20 members on the board of directors. Johnson noted that only 50 percent of the directors was present at Tuesday’s meeting. A special notice will be sent out to all the directors reminding them of February’s elections for officers.

Officers in the chamber have not changed for a number of years, with Frank Ricco serving as president, Carl DellaPena as vice president and Nellda Ware as treasurer.

DellaPena said Ricco has asked him for several years to take over the presidency, but he said he doesn’t have the time at present.

“Frank’s been president of the chamber for as long as I’ve been alive. Out of respect for Frank, I think he should hold the office indefinitely,” DellaPena said.

“All the officers are doing a good job. Like Carl, I think Frank has been a good president,” Johnson said. “Whether they are elected or not, their hearts are with the chamber and they would do their best.”

Chamber Director Gary Rable noted that other members of the chamber have not been willing to step up to serve in office.

“If new people would step up and take over, there would be new ideas. There’s nobody here that would step up,” Rable said.

“Given what we have to work with, I think we do more than most chambers,” said Director Pat Ballon. “Frank knows he has good people he can count on to do things.”

In other matters, Johnson reported that the hot water furnace at the Brownsville Free Public Library needs major repairs. Ballon and DellaPena agreed to split the $700 cost of the new boiler.

Dennis Cremonese of the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. reported plans for summer activities include concerts at Nemacolin Castle and a festival in conjunction with the borough on Aug. 6. Mayor Lester Ward said the borough is also trying to attract a farmers market.

Rable reported that while the gates to the Patsy Hillman Park are locked for the winter, the park is still open to walkers.

“With the ground freezing and thawing, we’re losing the road near the soccer field,” Rable said.