Officials support idea of making race a signature event for borough
By: Greg Forester
ROCKY HILL Rocky Hill Borough Council adopted resolutions Monday recognizing residents for their efforts in making the June 30 Rocky Hill Cycling Classic a successful event for the borough.
Residents Steve Seeley, Ted Merritt, Melissa Bernardis, and Janine LaCava were all recognized at the Borough Council meeting, with all receiving praise from the council for their contributions to an event borough officials now say they want to have every year.
Mr. Seeley captain of the Rocky Hill First Aid Squad was recognized for his efforts in coordinating area emergency services for the bike race, and Mr. Merritt for his fundraising efforts.
Ms. Bernardi was recognized for her efforts as part of the Recreation Committee and Ms. Lacava for the financing expertise she brought to the event.
Their efforts were all directed into making the June 30 race which had over 300 participants something that residents and cyclists would remember.
Borough officials said many other people contributed to make the event such a great success, and they were seriously considering making it into an annual race.
"The race was an amazing success for Rocky Hill and everyone who participated," said Mayor Ed Zimmerman. "I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from the residents and I’ve gotten letters from riders calling it one of the better courses in New Jersey."
The race was the first of its kind in 30 years, since qualifying races were held on portions of last month’s race course for the Junior World Selection Races, which Greg LeMond won. He would later win the Tour de France and be the first American to do so.
Professional and amateur cyclists alike were treated to a 10.5-mile course through the countryside of Franklin and Montgomery and the streets of Rocky Hill.
Borough officials see the race as the perfect signature annual event for their municipality, which is something they haven’t had in a long time.
"We have had firemen’s carnivals and bid-and-buys, but we haven’t had town-wide events like that turn into an annual event," said Mayor Zimmerman. "This could be something like the Princeton Fete or the rodeo held in Montgomery."
Borough officials said residents loved the event, despite the intermittent closing of some of the borough’s roads as the cyclists came through.
The bike race raised $5,500 for various municipal organizations, including the Rocky Hill Hook & Ladder Company, Rocky Hill Rescue Squad, the Mary Jacobs Library, the Rocky Hill Cooperative Nursery School, and the Rocky Hill Community Group.
Mayor Zimmerman said Borough Councilwoman Courtney White has also been applauded for the effort she put into making the race such a success for Rocky Hill.
Sponsors included Charles Schwab, Land Rover Princeton, Bank of America, Princeton Medical Group, Amboy Bank, Valley Oil, Bollinger Insurance, and Jared M. Witt, Esq.