the Signature Organization in Elmont. Although he has had a busy schedule over the past several years, he made 2011 a year full of accomplishment. He has spearheaded several new community initiatives over the past year. His ambition and eagerness have, at times, made waves, but they undoubtedly helped him effect real change — neighborhood improvements that will likely last for years to come. For those efforts, the Herald names Tallini its 2011 Person of the Year. He has been an active member of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce since 2008, but in the past year he has brought several important projects and events from idea to fruition, helping the chamber bounce back after it was criticized in 2010 for what was perceived as a lack of activity and drive. Tallini organized the chamber’s first Elmont Economic Summit on May 5, inviting elected officials and other local leaders to be panelists for a discussion of economic sustainability in the community. The event was a huge success, attracting nearly 100 residents who were glad to have a venue for discussion of future development and eagerly took the microphone to share their ideas. The summit — which has been planned again for 2012 — ended with applause, galvanizing the community, and Tallini was widely commended. Little did observers know that he was only getting started with the chamber’s 2011 revamping. In June, Tallini was the key player, coordinating with local businesses and Friends & Farmers Inc., in opening Elmont’s first farmer’s market — a weekly event that not only brought smiles to the faces of locals, but brought them closer, friendlier toward their neighbors. “Muzzio was really the driving force behind this, although he won’t admit it,” Paul Sapienza, president-elect of the Chamber of Commerce, said in June. In September, hundreds of local students and residents met with the chamber to discuss its “Invest in Elmont” scholarship program, which Tallini had crafted after months of planning. The program, which encouraged young residents to create business plans for Elmont (and compete for a $5,000 award), was well-received by the community By JACKIE NASH and spurred ideas for similar initiatives jnash@liherald.com among local politicians. In November, Tallini was the lead organizer of the chamber’s first jobs fair, held at the Elmont Memorial Library and attended by nearly 2,000. “Muzzio has changed the Chamber of Commerce to be a reckoning force,” said Pat Nicolosi, president of the Coalition for Sustainable Development. “The chamber has truly become a chamber now, people were put to task … and it’s because Muzzio had some phenomenal ideas.” Tallini grew up in South Floral Park and attended elementary school According to Sapienza, the chamber attracted eight new members in in Elmont. After graduating from Sewanhaka High School in 1990, he 2011, bringing its membership to more than 50, and it was all due to studied civil engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Tallini’s efforts. In addition to the chamber initiatives Institute and earned a law degree at Brooklyn Law “The chamber has truly he led, he spent several hours going door to door, School. In 1999, with a head full of ideas, he settled asking residents to get involved, Sapienza explained. becoming a chamber now, in Franklin Square. Before this year, he added, the chamber had not welpeople were put to task ... and Since then, Tallini has joined several local comed a new member for more than a year. “We groups, including the Elmont East End Civic it’s because Muzzio had some were just hoping that people would come and join Association and the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable phenomenal ideas.” because we exist,” he said. Development, and has met regularly with politicians Sapienza added that Tallini’s “membership drive” and other leaders in an effort to eliminate local develwill be expanded in 2012. “We want to continue what opment restrictions. In addition to community activ-
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OF THE YEAR
Franklin Square/Elmont
HERALD December 29, 2011 - January 4, 2012
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YEAR IN REVIEW
Jeff Wilson/Herald
i n i l l a Muzzio T
A head full of ideas for keeping the community growing
Jeff Wilson/Herald
Elmont boys capture Class AA basketball title and Carey wins Class AA baseball championship series Page 15
Janette Pellegrini/Herald
Following a heated and eventful election season, Elmont resident Carrié Solages unseats 16-year Republican Nassau County Legislator John Ciotti. Page 18
T
he son of Italian immigrants, Muzzio Tallini learned the meaning of self-confidence and integrity by example, at a young age. Hard work and education were of utmost importance to his parents, and so they have been to him ever since.
ism, he has become a smart-growth property developer as the owner of
See WITH, page 13