ABG believes the thought of a Unity ‘anything’ parade is a good one, but lacked with local inclusiveness. We know when organizing a parade, the inclusion of various organizations is paramount. This parade was led by Feiner henchman Kevin Morgan and the Feiner-annointed candidates. Noticeably absent, but riding further down the line of march in a open convertible was the Feiner-banished Sonya Brown. Also absent until the very end was the Town’s clerk, backbencher Judith Belville. Why she wasn't walking up in the front of the parade with the others escapes us. Rather, she was riding in the last vehicle, holding a hand written sign with her name on it. What doesn’t escape us is how it’s representative of her lack contributions to our town.
An ABG staffer overheard Rhonda Nelson, a parade organizer, say to reporter that diversity was the idea of the event. “To unite all the community together, to show that we are together,” said Nelson, project manager of the Union Baptist Church, which promoted the event. We applaud the importance of trying to have, grow and maintain interest in unity for the neighborhood. But we question how many other Town and immediate area organizations were invited? Participants included The Samuel H. Dow Fife and Drum Corp, from Yonkers; the Charles W. Dickerson Fife, Drum and Bugle Corp from New Rochelle; the Band of Brothers motorcyclists from the Bronx. The El Centro Hispano kids and the Wolverines young cheerleaders represented White Plains. Are there no Greenburgh groups willing to participate? Were they even asked to?
Leading the parade was a Greenburgh police car, as was the last vehicle. The Fairview Fire Department’s Volunteer members marched in the parade, with the drivers of the fire apparatus blowing the sirens and air horns. We’ve said it before, a fire department beefs up any parade and today’s was no different. Thanks to our volunteer firefighters for being there.
Washington Park, located of Yellowstone Avenue, was the location for the barbecue with hamburgers and hot dogs and drinks being served. As always, the children were anxious to get onto the two giant bouncing castles. The crowd seemed to be enjoying the gorgeous weather and the kids enjoyed playing in the park. Also in the park were tables set up by several of the parades sponsors, including Chase bank, Andre F. Baker Funeral Home and Elmsford Chiropractic Center.
The idea of unity day was a seed that germinated with collaboration between Town Judge Arlene Gordon-Oliver and the church’s pastor Reverend Verlin Williams. We recall hearing them at an event held by Councilwoman Sonya Brown when the A&P across the street had announced the closure of that store. There was a question and answer session where one woman rose to express her anger over the courts sending their kids to jail when they are arrested. Our collective concerns with the statement were addressed by both Gordon-Oliver, who said she’d be happy to sentence them to community service when applicable. The Reverend then spoke to the issue, telling parents to be more involved with what their children are doing and help to keep them doing positive things, not breaking the law, joining gangs, focusing on their education, etc. It was refreshing to hear. Gordon-Oliver directed them to the church’s Jobs for Life program, which is when they organized the first Unity event, three years ago.
Parades always have politicians. Whether they march in the parade or simply shake hands along the parade route, the politicians take advantage of a “captive” audience and we can’t stop that. But, we believe it detracts from the parade. We recall one parade where a ABG staffer saw a candidate was not campaigning. She asked him if he was there to campaign and he said no, I just came to enjoy a parade and not muck it up with politics. It was the fire department’s day and he wanted to keep the integrity of focused on the fire departments celebration. While he didn’t win, and maybe he should have campaigned, we recognize and appreciate what he was trying to. We need more politicians in unity with this and less in our parades.
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