Lee is a retired Bordentown City police captain
By:Vanessa S. Holt
BORDENTOWN CITY Witches and warlocks and winged things from angels to insects will take to the streets Oct. 28 for the 32nd annual Halloween parade sponsored by Consolidated Fire Association.
This year’s grand marshal will be retired Bordentown police Capt. Francis Lee, and a testimonial dinner will be held in his honor after the parade.
"He’s given a lot of years of service," said parade co-chairman Steve McGowan. "We’re proud to have him as parade marshal."
Nine area bands including the Bordentown Regional High School and Florence Township Memorial High School bands, the Uptown String Band, Hibernian Bagpipe Band, Liberty Band and Riverside String Band will march in this year’s parade. Also marching will be community groups, clowns and anyone who shows up in a costume on the day of the parade.
The parade starts at Elizabeth and Spring streets, marches to Second Street, Park Street and down Farnsworth Avenue, turns onto Union Street and makes its way to Crosswicks and Lafayette streets.
Bands and drum teams will perform in front of the reviewing stand on Crosswicks Street in front of Poor Clare’s Estate.
Anyone who wants to sponsor a band can contact Steve McGowan at 298-9328.
"We run this to say thanks to the town," said Mr. McGowan.
Rick Klinge and Steve McGowan co-chair the annual event.
"The money we collect we put right back into the parade," Mr. McGowan said.
The parade is made possible through contributions from the local governments of Bordentown City, Bordentown Township and Fieldsboro Borough, from local businesses and the general public.
Marchers will meet at 1 p.m. in front of St. Mary’s School on Elizabeth Street, where judging will take place between 1 and 2 p.m.
Cash prizes will be awarded for the prettiest, funniest and most original child and adult costumes and for best group and family costumes.
Capt. Lee said he was surprised and honored to be named parade marshal.
Bordentown City Police Chief Philip Castagna praised Capt. Lee’s accomplishments in over 20 years of service, in which he ascended to the rank as chief, and returned to the force in 1990 after taking a brief leave of absence in 1989.
Capt. Lee was named Officer of the Year in 1994 and the Burlington County PROCOPS (Prosecutors’ Recognition of Citizens or Public Servants) award in 1995.
Raised in Bordentown, Capt. Lee currently lives in Burlington Township.
As a police chief in the 1980s, Capt. Lee was "ahead of his time," said Chief Castagna. "He is a very fair man with high morals and integrity."
An active member of the community and founding member of the Concerned Citizens of Bordentown, Capt. Lee could often be seen giving older residents a ride when they needed one during his off-duty hours.
Capt. Lee demonstrated the importance of forming positive relationships within the community and reaching out to help residents even when he was not on duty, said Chief Castagna.
"He did community policing before it gained popularity as a concept," he said.
He also recognized the captain for his work initiating safety programs in the local elementary schools, upgrading police equipment and emphasizing multicultural awareness within the police force.
"I’m grateful he gave me the opportunity to work here," said Chief Castagna, who was hired under Capt. Lee’s leadership. "I can’t repay him for that."
The testimonial dinner for Capt. Lee will begin at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Days Inn located at 1073 Route 206 north in Bordentown.
Tickets are $25 a person and must be purchased by Oct. 24.
The buffet-style dinner will include salad, rolls, pasta du jour, hot roast beef, fried chicken, potato, vegetable, coffee, tea and cake. A cash bar will be open from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
To purchase tickets contact Sgt. Steve Mains, Detective Sgt. Matt Simmons or Staff Officer Barbara Childs between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (609) 298-0103.