For years, the annual July 4th parade has formed on Johnston Avenue and then stepped off on East Front Street at 10 a.m. This year, the route was expanded to start on July 7 at Leland Avenue and East Front Street. But now Robert Graham, "Mr. Plainfield," has sent out an e-mail announcing the starting point as Garfield Avenue.
So which is it?
The original announcement on the city web site cites the traditional starting place and it is also on the parade`application form online. The flyer and other publicity states the start as Leland. In his e-mail, Graham cautions, "Please read the itinerary very carefully so you'll know what's going on" before naming Garfield as the starting point.
I usually walk up Park Avenue from Seventh Street to view the parade, so no matter where it starts, I will see it pass by. But for people who live at the other end or who may want to set up their lawn chairs at the start, the information above is confusing. Those who may be coming from out of town to participate especially need to know where the line of march is forming.
It is no secret that I have reservations about the way the "Returning Heroes" parade is being handled. I have objected publicly to the "ad hoc" nature of the planning, which includes ideas from many individuals in a somewhat random way. Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority Commissioner Alex Toliver initially raised the notion of an expanded parade to welcome back Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, based on a parade in the Midwest attended by 100,000 people. Toliver has said he hopes to replicate that kind of turnout with the first such parade on the East Coast taking place in Plainfield.
Toliver and Councilman Wiliam Reid moved ahead weeks ago by purchasing lawn signs and badges on their own and began contacting veterans' groups. Toliver sought to expand the route by several blocks to start on Leland Avenue.
Gradually, the traditional program of a parade, concert and fireworks has expanded and now includes a car show and, according to "Mr. Plainfield," tethered hot-air balloon rides at Cedar Brook Park starting at 6 p.m. on July 7. The rides cost $5 per person and will "raise money for charity."
It turns out that individuals have also been asking merchants for donations, something Toliver himself complained about to the City Council on Thursday. In addition, merchants are being told they must pay an outside marketing firm large fees for booths at the event, a situation that is now under investigation.
One hopes that this will turn out to be the signal event that its originators proposed for "Returning Heroes" and that it will generate positive publicity for the city. However, the very open-ended planning process makes one wonder how it will come off.
For 2013, Plaintalker suggests implementation of an all-Plainfield committee that was to be formed after other towns dropped out of the parade. An ordinance for the Independence Day Committee was revised to call for nine members with three-year terms and also included fundraising powers. No one was ever appointed to the committee and the "ad hoc" approach has reigned ever since.
The City Council has asked many times for an accounting of all expenses connected with the July 4th celebration and has not received that information. Organizers seem to be taking the term "Independence Day" a bit too far in accountability. "Independent" efforts under color of the city can lead to misunderstandings and even abuse of the good will of business owners who are asked to donate for a patriotic event.
Saturday's events span 12 hours and should provide memorable experiences for both veterans and area residents who want to honor them. The fiscal underpinnings must be sound if this celebration and future ones are to leave only happy memories.
--Bernice
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Accountability ?? Why Bernice, you sound like you just moved to Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteThe barn door will be closed well after the horses are gone...don't you worry!
The confusion is not unexpected. It's a rec sponsored event. The accountability is not unexpected. The recreation superintendent has used this play of delay delay stall stall for a very long time. The Council requested information on the expenses and all they got was the fireworks and Cedarbrook Park expenses. There was no demand for the rest of the information. This same tactic was taken by the mayor with the WBLS event. There was no demand for the information. Yes there was an investigation but because there was no definitive reprecussions for not answering the Council, the mayor is still able to say "see I told you I wasn't wrong in my wrongdoing". So since she saw the tactic worked for the lowly superintendent, why shouldn't she use the same. We will get the bill way after the fact and we will pay somehow and the beat will go on. Delay delay stall stall.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't follow the money you won't know the real picture. Just like the Superintendent of Recreation said he had 300 kids in his baseball program. Which was an impossiblity based on a number of pieces of evidence. Did anyone check the receipts and deposits? No they took what he said as gospel. Now no one really knows if this money they are now asking for for the parade is going to the City coffers or into Sharon's warchest. Why are we so gullible and/or helpless??!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a JOKE 7th of July parade
ReplyDeleteI thought it was the 4th of July
We are gullible/helpless that this conduct occurs because we allow it by what we do in the voting booth. We should be voting for someone who can rectify the situation or is sensible enough to bring people into government who can. Instead, we allow others who are only interested in how they can "game" the system make up our minds for us. Thus, we have the dysfunction of our administration.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to continue going down the same path for a long long-g-g-g-g-g time.
If the housing market changes (we can hope), then it will be time to "break" camp!!!
We need someone to oversee and help the recreation department. They are as inept as the mayor. I'll volunteer.
ReplyDeleteBob Bolmer
Then pressure the mayor to accept the Recreation Commision which she vetoed and the 3 stooges wouldnt support.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should just back up a second ... they should put the Music Man movie on the City cable channel. Then we will see not everything runs perfect ... even in Gary, Indiana.
ReplyDelete