Kenneth Mataix At the Garden City Chamber’s March Board meeting, graciously hosted by Leo’s, members of the Board unanimously approved the designation of Kenneth Mataix, proprietor of Bagelman of Garden City since 1988, as the 6th Honorary Member since the Chamber’s incorporation in 1928. This designation is not lightly given. A member must have fully supported and participated in Chamber efforts and events over a long period of time. He or she must have gone way beyond the proverbial “extra mile” to have achieved this standing. Ken will be recognized at the Chamber luncheon next Thursday, March 25, 11:30 a.m. at the Garden City Hotel when County Executive Ed Mangano will be keynoter.

Kenny, who is reticent to speak of any of his contributions to the Chamber, the business community and to the Village as a whole, has a long history of myriad services.

A member for 21 years, he served two separate 3-year terms as a director on the Chamber Board, assisting the organization with various projects and community events. In 2002, he was named “Business Person of the year.

Ken has been a prime mover toward the success of the Belmont Festival in Garden City; has donated his time, his staff and no doubt hundreds of urns of coffee and who knows how many bagels over the years for the participants of the Thanksgiving Day charity Turkey Trot. Kenny was a major contributor to the overwhelming success of the Garden City Community Fund’s Family Relief Fund established to assist Garden City families affected by the World Trade Center attacks. He rallied his services once again in the spring of 2002 for the Village-wide 9/11 fundraiser.

Kenny Mataix is a team member of the American Flag Program sponsored by the Chamber, the American Legion and Garden City Boy Scout Troops who traditionally fly the flags on Seventh Street on all national holidays. Ken not only stores some 50 flags and poles, but for many years has been their dedicated custodian. He doesn’t speak about it (until coaxed), but Kenny has refurbished the flag poles, ordered the flags, stretched them out to dry and even known to have ironed them following unexpected rainfall. He has even enlisted his staff to raise and lower the flags on several occasions dictated by the weather.

For several years, Kenny enlisted his staff to assist the Chamber with delivery of its Business Bulletins throughout the business district. Knowing that the Chamber is short on storage space, Kenny has volunteered to store everything from the Bulletins to jars and jars of jelly beans for the Easter Car Parade. Most noteworthy of late, has been Ken’s full participation in the Chamber’s newly created Merchants Group. In fact, he has opened his shop for Wednesday meetings since the projects inception last June.

Previous Honorary members have included Charlotte and Gerard Hughes, a charter member of the Chamber; Ruth Krist, who helped initiate the American Flag program; Michael Lutz who co-designed and maintained the Toll Lodge grounds for five years pro-bono; T.J. Macjeski, former Chamber executive secretary; and John W. Morrison, long-time volunteer who helped to coordinate the Easter Car Parade for 16 years.

The Chamber luncheon on March 25 is open to the public. If you would like to attend to salute Kenny Mataix and hear Ed Mangano speak on his campaign promise: to reform the County’s Property Tax Assessment System, please call Liz at the Chamber (746-7724, ext. 101) or register on line at www.gardencitychamber.org. All attendees may enjoy the Chamber member luncheon fee of $60 per person for this special event. Credit cards are accepted by telephone or fax (746-7725).