Many involved with dealing with aftermath of major storms
By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Community Day in Manville was started in 2000 a year after Hurricane Floyd hit town in 1999.
This year, due to another devastating storm, it will be least postponed from the Saturday, Oct. 1, scheduled date, and maybe cancelled, for 2011. A decision will come by the end of the week.
Lou Fischer, the chairman of the Community Day committee for three years, hopes to try to have it at another time.
”It’s hard to say right now, as I don’t think the fields down the Valley are in good enough shape,” he said. “We’ll make a final determination at the end of the week.”
Mr. Fischer said he enjoys planning it along with the other committee members.
”There are a lot of people on the committee as we try to get input from various organizations on how to make the event better each year,” he said. Those people include Rich Armstrong, the Director of Recreation; Department of Public Works leaders Phil Petrone and Dave Tarby; firemen John Bentz, Tom Woods and Ray Walsh; Patrolman Nick Franzoso; Thelma Bartus and Josephine Pschar from the senior citizens and Stephanie Cornelson.
The community day will be scaled down, if it is postponed, according to Mr. Fischer.
”Because most of our volunteer system, as well as a lot of our borough employees have been extremely busy helping others in the town, as well cleaning their own homes, , we didn’t want to place additional burden on them for this event. We’re looking to make this day an ‘Escape from Hurricane Irene Day,’ and not another day of work,” he said.
”I sure hope we can make this happen as it might provide a little break for some who can use it,” said Mr. Fischer.
Community Day has been an anjnual event since September 2000.
”I’d like to see it happen but not if the entire town won’t be able to enjoy it,” Mr. Fischer said.