Take Pride in Springfield giant 4th of July celebration planned

SPRINGFIELD — The Take Pride in Springfield and Fourth of July Committees announce Springfield’s 2011 July 4th celebration will take place on Monday, July 4. This year’s event will feature two nationally recognized bands for entertainment, The 1910 Fruitgum Company and The Toys featuring Barbara Harris. In addition to their own hits, they will perform a mix of popular 60s and 70s tune. The bands will start playing at 7:30 p.m.

According to Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce Co-chairman, Pat Paolella, the Take Pride in Springfield Committee, is comprised of the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce and the Township’s Emergency Management Organization who have banded together to plan this year’s event.

Starting at 5 p.m. there will be rides, a petting zoo, pony rides and a trackless train for children. The fireworks will start at dusk. A donation of $5 per person will be collected at the gates and children under age 2 are admitted free. Food and beverages will be available for sale at reasonable prices.

There will also be a giant 50-50 raffle by the Rotary Club of Springfield. According to 4th of July Committee Co-Chairman, Scott Seidel, in the event of inclement weather, the fireworks display will be held on the next clear night. This year's "family picnic" theme, with the gates opening at 5 p.m., encourages families to bring chairs and blankets and enjoy a family picnic. Note alcoholic beverages are not permitted on County Park property.

Emergency Management Coordinator and 4th of July Co-Chairman, John Cottage, advises people to get there early and enjoy the festivities. Seidel noted that a limited amount of handicapped and preferred parking for guests is available on Meisel Avenue which will be closed adjacent to the field between Southgate and Linden Avenue from 3 until 11 p.m. that day. The Garden State Fireworks Company of Millington, provides and sets off the fireworks.

Assisting this year will be the Springfield Fire Departments, the Springfield Auxiliary Police, Springfield Police Department and the Springfield First Aid Squad. Fencing and logistic support around the field is supplied by the Township Department of Public Works.

Anyone wishing to help out on the fourth can call the Springfield Town Hall at 973-912-2200.

Additional information will be available shortly on the Township’s website, springfield-nj.us .

Red Light Camera Controversy Grows. - AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Thetruthaboutcars.com regularly has articles about local controversy involving red light cameras, but for a good concise summary of the status of the controversy nationally, check out this link to an article at MSNBC.com. It appears to me that the camera trend has peaked and it is going the other way. People are refusing to drink the Kool-aid spewed out by the redlight operators. The cameras don't make intersections safer, and they can make them less safe when they reduce the yellow light time to generate more revenue (as has happened repeatedly.) If you live in a locality that is thinking about installing red light cameras, there are a lot of resources on the web with studies and other ammunition that you can use in a public hearing process to oppose the cameras.

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