NIA's Tenth Annual Dinner a Success

The Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) held its 10th annual awards dinner to celebrate the contributions of individuals that have touched the lives of so many in the community.  The festivities, held at Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island, drew a crowd of nearly 500 guests.

This year’s honorees were “Man of the Year” award recipient Inspector Robert D’Angelo of the NYC Department of Sanitation; “Woman of the Year” award recipient Yvonne J. Graham, former Brooklyn Deputy Borough President; “Educational Leadership” award recipient Elizabeth Culkin, Principal of Public School 176; “Community Leadership” award recipient Eufemia Maldari, President of the Bay Ridge Real Estate Board; “Distinguished Brooklynite” award recipient Frank Tramontano, Research Director of the NYPD Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association; and “Humanitarian” award recipient Anthony DeSantis, retired Deputy Director of NYC Department of Sanitation Waste Disposal.

The evening was highlighted with a performance by the New York City Department of Sanitation Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, the singing of the National Anthem by Christopher Vath, Director of Music and invocation by Monsignor Ronald Marino, Pastor of Regina Pacis Church.

Among the elected and government officials were Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs; Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; State Senators Marty Golden and Diane Savino; Assembly Members Peter Abbate and Alec Brook-Krasny; Council Members Vincent Gentile, Domenic Recchia, Jr. and Michael McMahon; District Leader JoAnne Seminara; Assembly Member-Elect  Michael DenDekker; Deputy Commissioner NYC Department of  Sanitation, Michael Bimonte, along with DSNY officials and organizations; Deputy Commissioner of the Business and Integrity Commission, Ronald Cohen; Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Inspector Charles Scholl along with NYPD commanders and officers; Director of the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Haeda Milhaltses; Deputy Director, NYC Council Finance Division; representatives of Commissioner Jeanne Mullgrav of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development; CUNY’s Director of Government Relations, John Kotoski; and BP Markowitz’s Chief of Staff, Carlo Scissura.

Among the distinguished guests were President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Carl Hum, and representatives of the business sector, including Forest City Ratner, Commerce Bank, Ridgewood Savings, Transfer Trailer, and Abigail Kirsch, Stage 6 at Steiner Studios; leaders of Community Boards 10, 11 and 12, the UFT, Community Education Council, and local schools - including principals, teachers and PTA’s; and representatives of the Community Mayors of the Tri-state Area, Brooklyn Women’s Services, AMICO, the Dyker Heights Civic Association, the Bay Ridge Community Council, and the Bay Ridge Real Estate Board.

NIA President Michael Bove, CEO Mary Anne Cino, and Executive Director
Rosa Casella, along with NIA Board members and staff, greeted and thanked all present for the tremendous support, and commended the honorees for their outstanding contributions to the community.

Honorees and elected officials (l. to r.) Yvonne Graham, NIA President Michael Bove, Eufemia Maldari, Elizabeth Caulkin, Frank Tramontano, Councilman Dominic Recchia, State Senator Martin Golden, Robert D’Angelo, Anthony DeSantis and Councilman Vincent Gentile celebrate at the NIA dinner.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Golden (l.) joins "Woman of the Year" recipient Yvonne Graham and NIA CEO Mary Anne Cino, President Michael Bove and Executive Director Rosa Casella.

"Man of the Year" Robert D'Angelo (l.) is joined by family members and friends as he receives honor.

This year's "Community Leadership" award recipient Eufemia Maldari (l.) with Mary Anne Cino, Michael Bove and her family.

" Brooklynite of the Year" award recipient Frank Tramontano proudly displays his award is joined by his family, NIA leadership and Councilman Michael McMahon.