Your Turn
Red Bank centennial will reflect on the past, present and future
PASQUALE MENNA Guest Column
This year commemorates the centennial of our designation as a borough and the establishment of our municipal identity.

Events have been planned for 2008 and culminating in March 2009. A citizens' committee has been busy planning the commemoration, for which I am very grateful. The entire community owes them a debt of gratitude.

An anniversary is an opportunity for all of us to pause in our hectic lives to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Our centennial is no exception. All of us give thanks to the many women and men whose inspiration, work and commitment since 1908 have made Red Bank the "heart" of Monmouth County and most recently, the "hippest" town in New Jersey. It was and continues to be a destination point in our area.

Their vision and drive was to create an ideal community that blends wonderful neighborhoods, a thriving commercial base, active utilization of natural waterways and resources, a model public educational system and a diverse population. That has been achieved. It is a blueprint for our future progress.

A special appreciation should be extended to our past and present police officers, firefighters, first aiders, public works employees, borough employees, educators, service veterans and their families and loved ones; and volunteers who have throughout many generations devoted their time and lives to Red Bank. All past and present public officials also have served this town with fidelity and commitment. I thank those former mayors who are able to celebrate our anniversary, the Hon. Benedict Nicosia, Associate Justice of the N.J. Supreme Court Daniel O'Hern, Assemblyman Michael Arnone, and Edward J. McKenna Jr.

I invite all residents and friends to bring your family to celebrate the inaugural events on our streets on May 17 at 11 a.m. for the Centennial Parade to be followed by a free community picnic at Count Basie Park, and the parade of boats at Marine Park on May 18 at 1:30 p.m.

I am grateful for the Monmouth Boat Club and the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association who have, in conjunction with the Red Bank Centennial Committee and other maritime groups, coordinated the parade of boats to mark the Red Bank Centennial. The event may be viewed at Marine Park and Riverside Gardens Park.

A cannon salvo from the Monmouth Boat Club will signal the start of the parade. The boats will be appropriately led by the rowing shells and canoes from the Monmouth Boat Club, the Navesink Rowing Club, the Red Bank Charter School and the Red Bank Middle School.

The rowers will be followed by a parade of sailboats of one design sailboat class and cruising sailboats. The line of parade will then include powerboats comprised of antique and classic sailboats and racing skiffs. They will include a 1953 Chris-Craft and the "Baykeeper," a Pederson skiff by the NYNJ Baykeeper. I am excited to note that the event will also feature sailboats by Sailability NJ, which are designed for individuals with challenges so that they may be able to sail.

There will be an overflight by Hugh Wilson of Ultralighters with eight pilots at 2:30 p.m., weather permitting.

The Monmouth Boat Club will announce the parade and identify the parade from a public address system at Marine Park.

Marine Park will be the focus of various exhibits during the parade and the entire afternoon.

These exhibits include: the North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club's (NSIBYC) "Rocket Ice Yacht Exhibit," the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association, the Red Bank Centennial Committee, Navesink River Rowing Club, Red Bank Environmental Commission, Red Bank Parks and Recreation Department, NY/NJ Baykeeper, Monmouth Boat Club, the Shrewsbury Power Squadron, Red Bank Fire Department Scuba Team, Red Bank Charter School River Rangers, Fair Haven River Rats sailing program, Long Branch Ice Boat and Yacht Club's Fox exhibit, The NSIBYC's 1917 Red Bank canvas canoe exhibit, NJ Skiff JS70 "Lasting Impression" exhibit, and Sailability NJ.

The above is only a partial list of participants.

I would like to express personal and heartfelt appreciation to Tiffany and Co. and its Red Bank store staff for their invaluable assistance and sponsorship of this event by restoring an 1892 silver trophy that will be a prominent part of the exhibit commemorating the establishment of our municipal identity.

Future events will include, or have included, a Count Basie statue dedication at the train station, rededication and relocation of Firefighters Memorial, dedication of additional names on the Veterans Memorial at Red Bank Regional High School July 3; a cocktail party to honor former mayors July 21; commemorative dedication of the 1939 royal visit; visit of prominent personalities in the fall; street festivals in various neighborhoods throughout the summer; a centennial "Kaboom!" fireworks display July 3; the designation of historic neighborhoods to protect our heritage; a blessing of the waters and boaters at the Navesink River in January, and the closing of the centennial year in March.

Please join together in unity and spirit in this celebration of our great town. It is our heritage and our future.

Pasquale Menna is the mayor of Red Bank