Minda Rae Amiran

DUNKIRK — The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce presented its 2017 Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award to Dr. Minda Rae Amiran, professor emeritus at the State University of New York at Fredonia, during its annual meeting on Friday at the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk.

As an English professor, Amiran has long been an advocate for literacy. For over 20 years she has been a volunteer advocate and tutor with Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County, has been an active grant writer and has also been actively involved in helping to encourage voting by organizing numerous events with the League of Women Voters.

“When I retired (from SUNY Fredonia) I asked myself what I could usefully do,” Amiran said. “I can teach and write. So I got involved. Beyond that, it seems to me that we’re in real danger of losing our democracy if we don’t take an active part in it. Our elective representatives will be run by the people that pay for their campaigns. The only way to prevent (our country) from becoming an out-and-out plutocracy is to activate citizens to work for their own best interests and in a way that’s what we do in Literacy Volunteers, because teaching people to read and write, teaching people to speak English brings them into the community of active people.”

“Dr. Amiran has been a tremendous asset to Chautauqua County for many years,” said Chamber President and CEO Todd Tranum. “She has actively worked to instill the values of literacy and higher education in young people, and has promoted participation in our most important civic responsibility: voting. We salute her and are proud to present this award.”

The award includes a $500 contribution to a non-profit organization chosen by the awardee. Amiran selected Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County to receive the donation. The check was presented during the Chamber Annual Meeting to Dyane Noves representing Literacy Volunteers.

The Chamber also highlighted the Voices of Young Professionals during the event. Speakers were Amber Grekalski from the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, Monica Kemp-Simpson with the Fredonia Technology Incubator, Kris Maytum with DFT Communications, and Matt Mazgaj of Phillips Lytle. The four represent a cross-section of Young Professional organizations from throughout Chautauqua County, which encourages a new generation of leadership in both business and community.

The baton was passed to a new Chair for the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. Curt Anderson of Standard Portable is now Immediate Past President, and Brian Bugaj of Nestle Purina PetCare was elected Chair of the Chamber Board. The rest of the slate of officers include: Vice Chair, Fred Johnson, Johnson Estate Winery (also representing the Westfield-Barcelona Chamber); Treasurer, Neil Frederick, Bush Industries; and Secretary, Ann Abdella, Chautauqua County Health Network.

A new member nominated to the board for 2018 is Michael Pucci of Pucci’s Carpet One Furniture. Vicki McGraw of Elegant Edibles Catering is also new to the board, representing the Jamestown Community Chamber. Current board members continuing their terms are: Matthew Churchill, Water Street Brass; Virginia Horvath, SUNY Fredonia; Kris Maytum, DFT Communications; Emily Reynolds, Cornell Cooperative Extension; and representing the rest of the Community Chambers: Dunkirk — Michael Pease, The Chautauqua Center; Fredonia – David Dengler, Larson-Timko Funeral Home; Hanover — Kelly Borrello, Sunset Bay; and Mayville-Chautauqua — Sally Andriaccio, Andriaccio’s Restaurant.