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BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP: Community celebrates

By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Saturday marked a late summer event full of festivities for the community.
   On Sept. 15, approximately 800 people came out to celebrate Community Day at Bordentown Township’s Community Center.
   ”Community Day has been an ongoing activity each year,” said Bordentown Township Mayor Karl Feltes said.
   Mayor Feltes said that due to the downturn in the economy, the township had to look at cost saving measures and, unfortunately, had to pull the funding for the event in 2011.
   ”We were able to, through some reorganization of employees and shared services and some other budget cuts,” Mayor Feltes said, “put some money in the budget so that we could have it this year.”
   The family friendly event, which started at 11 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m., was free and offered diverse activities.
   It kicked off with an opening ceremony in which Mayor Feltes and other local dignitaries welcomed the crowd.
   ”This represents what Bordentown Township is about and that’s community,” Mayor Feltes said.
   ”We are happy to have this opportunity to bring this event back to the township with the assistance of our county and city representatives. I welcome our friends, families and residents and acknowledge the area businesses and groups that made this possible. Without the sponsors that donated goods and services and made monetary donations, this event would not be possible,” Mayor Feltes continued.
   ”On behalf of the city, it’s a pleasure coming out here on Community Day,” said Bordentown City Mayor Jim Lynch. “It is an important day for the community with the city as well and I think you are going to see in the future the city and the township working a little closer together on events.”
   Mayor Lynch said, “We have an ambulance squad that is shared, a court that is shared and our fire departments work very well together and our police departments work very well together. We really are one big community, mayor, and we thank you for inviting us out.”
   A DJ and a live band played music throughout Community Day.
   Additionally, antique cars were on display for spectators to gaze upon.
   Children played in an inflatable basketball game and there were prizes and various crafts also offered.
   Plenty of free food was available for attendees as well, including from a mobile brick oven pizza truck.
   Noteworthy, the Bordentown Township Police Department performed a K-9 demonstration.
   The Bordentown Township Fire Department showcased two fire trucks at the event.
   ”I love it. When you can bring the community together, especially on a great day like this, it’s awesome,” said Assemblyman Troy Singleton of the 7th Legislative District who attended Community Day with his family.
   ”It’s a great time,” Bordentown resident Mark Palumbo said, who was attending the event for the first time.
   ”We have been here before. I like Bordentown with all the events,” Bordentown resident Shannon Hart said.
   Mayor Feltes told the Register-News on Monday, “The mayor and the Township Committee are elated over what appeared to be our largest attendance for our Community Day. Residents and friends throughout the area enjoyed the sunshine, the food, games and prizes. The mobile brick oven pizza truck served a variety of pizza and was a large attraction as well as the fire trucks, antique cars, the Moonwalk, basketball throw game and the K-9 Dog demonstration.”
   Mayor Feltes continued, “The Bordentown Township Senior Citizens Group again donated baked goods and helped serve the public hot dogs, chip and beverages throughout the day. The township is especially grateful to the corporate sponsors that contributed to the event.”
   Further, Mayor Feltes said, “We are also grateful to the various dignitaries who spent (time) mingling and answering questions. A special thank you to Angel Sauro who organizes this event every year.”
   Ms. Sauro serves Bordentown Township as the confidential aide to Mayor Feltes.