Continuing the ‘circle of community’

For six years, Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce president Eileen Tyznar has been a de facto mayor of the area, fielding issues from community members that range from garbage pickup to elevating the cultural status of the town in massive festivals that have tens of thousands of attendees.

“As long as I can help, I’m there to do it, even if it’s not exactly my purview,” said Tyznar, who also runs a successful special education consulting firm, TEACH, that is located on Railroad Avenue in Sayville.

While Tyznar’s transition to president emeritus of the chamber has left some big shoes to fill for incoming president, Ron Trotta, Tyznar has given full faith and blessing to Trotta, who has been a staple presence at chamber events from ribbon-cuttings to proclamations.

“Ron is going to take us to the next level,” said Tyznar. “His business sense is immeasurable and his charisma is like none other.”

Trotta, humbly, has said, “Sayville will always be synonymous with Eileen’s work, but I am excited to take office and grow the foundation that she has forged.”

With a long history as owner of Sterling Business Systems, an authorized Canon dealer, Trotta understands big-picture thinking from his daily work and is determined to not only maintain, but expand the fall, summer, and winter festivals that are universally loved, with attendees coming in from as far as Manhattan and Queens.

“We have one couple who lives in Florida and plans their vacation around Summerfest because they fly up here for it,” said Tyznar.

While Trotta understands the pivotal role the chamber plays, he also said, “It is one component of the circle of community. We act as a conduit to connect different organizations—the Civic, the Village Improvement Society, local businesses—to the great residents and resources Sayville has to offer.”

With a deep veneration for the community the chamber serves, Trotta has said he takes immense pride in his new role for the “friendliest town in America” and said he will be led by a goal of “tradition with innovation.”

“It’s everything you want in small-town USA; it’s the geographic heart of Long Island, and we consistently grow,” said Trotta.

Of paramount concern to Trotta is that people from all Long Island and New York City feel welcome to Sayville during events and for a weekend shopping experience.

A generational mainstay, Trotta and Tyznar spoke of how many Sayville natives and graduates often come back to raise their families here, a phenomenon that both would like to preserve.

The chamber has also come to sponsor a number of youth organizations in the past six years, including a Daisy Scout troop (who will be Brownies this fall), a second Daisy Scout troop, and a BSA boys’ troop.

“Responsible mentorship is also central to being a chamber because we need to foster young minds towards civic duty,” said Tyznar.

Trotta echoed this sentiment and said, “Nothing is more valuable than the youth of our community and their entre into being vital, productive members of Sayville as they begin to find their own.”

With the pandemic hurtling many local businesses into freefall in 2020, Tyznar said rallying Main Street and the community to make it out of that time of anxiety was one of her most challenging undertaking as president.

“If Eileen weren’t there to bring it [the chamber] back, there would be no chamber. She led, sacrificed, and there was such an outpouring of support that no other president has ever had,” said Trotta.

“I know that the chamber is in good hands with Ron,” said Tyznar. “He knows what it means to take on this role.”