PLAINSBORO: Founder’s Day meets the ‘test of time’

By Allison Musante, Staff Writer
   PLAINSBORO — On blankets, porches and curbs, hundreds of families enjoyed a front row seat to the township’s biggest event of the year — the Founder’s Day Parade.
   On Sunday afternoon, a sea of children, local dignitaries, Plainsboro natives and their neighbors poured into the township streets to celebrate the 32nd annual Founder’s Day, commemorating the historic day 92 years ago when Plainsboro received state approval to become an independent municipality.
   The parade kicked off the party after noon on Edgemere Avenue and continued through Plainsboro Road. Under pristine, sunny skies, the mile-long procession of dozens of community groups, musicians and dancers emptied out into the festival grounds in the municipal center complex where Mayor Peter Cantu was waiting to welcome everyone.
   ”This event was founded some 32 years ago, and I was there,” said Mayor Cantu, drawing laughter from the crowd. “It was put together to bring folks together and by the turnout here today, it obviously stands the test of time and meets that objective.”
   He said this year’s Founder’s Day was the first undertaking of Debbie Voorhees, director of the township’s Department of Recreation and Community Services. She took over the job last November. “I think she did a great job,” the mayor said.
   After the mayor’s opening remarks, attendees enjoyed live entertainment, including jugglers, clowns, music from the high school jazz bands, cultural performances and martial arts demonstrations. While the children played in the inflatable moon bounce and super slide, the adults played giant lawn chess and tested their skill on a rock wall.
   ”They have a lot of things for the little kids to do,” said Melody Bromberg of Plainsboro. “We like watching the jazz bands too, and there’s always something for everybody.”
   ”I think it’s gotten better every year,” added her friend, Elizabeth Altiero of West Windsor. She and Ms. Bromberg came to see their children perform in the High School South marching band – the highlight of the day for many.
   Heather Mitchell, who has lived in Plainsboro for 16 years, used to march in the parade as a member of the High School North marching band. A 2006 North graduate, Ms. Mitchell said she enjoys seeing everyone come together, including hometown friends and neighbors she hasn’t seen for years while studying at Syracuse University.
   ”Plainsboro seems like a big place with a lot of people, but on this day, it has a real small town feel,” she said.
   As the last performance of the year for North’s marching band, it was a bittersweet day for drum major and senior Mary Zeoli.
   ”It’s a little sad, but it went really well today,” she said. “It’s great because many people don’t get to see us perform in our shows and competitions, but a lot of people see us perform today.”
   The parade also included the giant puppets of the Plainsboro Public Library — an annual favorite — a Chinese paper dragon, and a motorcade of antique cars provided by the Central Jersey Antique Auto Club and the local fire and rescue vehicles.
   John and Katheryn McGuire attended for the first time with their young granddaughters, Fiona and Morgane. Mr. McGuire, a resident of 34 years, said it was only their second time watching the parade. “It’s not the same if you don’t have children – it’s so much more fun experiencing the parade and all the activities with the children and to see it through their eyes,” said Ms. McGuire. A slew of local dignitaries joined the mayor and Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis during the celebration, including state Senator Linda Greenstein, Assemblyman Dan Benson, Board of Education President Hemant Marathe, Superintendent Victoria Kniewel and the other members of the Plainsboro Township Committee – Ed Yates, Nuran Nabi and Michael Weaver. Senator Greenstein, a Plainsboro native, said she was excited to see the growth of cultural diversity in Plainsboro, shown on a giant map outside the Human Relations Council booth. “I remember the map when I was on the Township Committee many years ago and it has really developed and now it’s enormous,” she said. “It has pins stuck in it (representing backgrounds) from all over the world.” Assemblyman Benson, who represents Plainsboro in the 14 th district, said that as a husband to a woman who is first-generation Turkish, he enjoyed seeing many cultures represented in the faces of the attendees. “I think diversity is at the heart of what makes Plainsboro great,” he said. State Senate candidate Richard Kanka used the day as an opportunity to chat up his Plainsboro constituents, whom he seeks to represent in the 14 th Legislative District, over Senator Greenstein. Mr. Kanka was busy shaking hands and asking residents about the issues. “Taxes are the biggest concern,” he said. Robbinsville Mayor David Fried and Township Committee candidate Krishna Jagannathan had the same idea as Mr. Kanka. Mayor Fried, who is challenging Mr. Benson for his Assembly seat, said he had heard many concerns that day from residents about the school district’s budget, which was voted down last week. “It’s a symptom of the state school funding formula,” he said. “I think the taxpayer is paying a disproportionate amount in taxes for the schools.” Mr. Jagganathan announced his candidacy for Township Committee as a Republican in April. A resident since 2008, Mr. Jagganathan is challenging Mayor Cantu’s re-election to the Committee. He said he heard concerns from many residents about the health of local businesses and unemployment. “I don’t like to think of this as Republican versus Democrat,” he said. “I don’t think anyone is pro-pothole or pro-raising taxes. It’s about how each candidate approaches the issues.” He said he also realizes his candidacy may be an uphill struggle. “I know I’m going against an institution of Plainsboro,” he said.