From this week's FORUM...Broad Channel Labor Day Parade

LABOR DAY PARADE SPELLS FUN IN BROAD CHANNEL – RESIDENTS FLOCK TO WATCH FLOATS GO DOWN CROSS BAY

Ed O’Hare, Councilman Eric Ulrich, Joe Lhota and Joann Ariola joined staunch Republican supporter Gabriel Charles “the lizard” DiBono, for a stroll down Cross Bay. According to the 7-year-old, who pressed the flesh for the candidate, Lhota is the next mayor for sure. Photos Courtesy Joanna Ariola

Broad Channel residents turned out in full force to celebrate the end of Mardi Gras weekend with their annual Labor Day Parade on Monday. The Broad Channel Athletic Club (BCAC) sponsored the event, which came in just short of one year ago when the town was devastated by flood waters and Superstorm Sandy. The town was determined that no storm could stop the tradition that has been part of their lives for more than one hundred years.

Channel residents registered to participate in the float contest at the beginning of the summer which officially kicks off the fundraisers and other activities tied to the weekend. There are competitions for the king and queen of the Channel, best block, Mardi Gras mayor and a host of other titles.

There was never even speculation that there would be no parade—just concerns over how everything would get done considering the events of the last ten months. Broad Channel has long been known for its resiliency and determination and with strength and togetherness, they rebuilt their town.  Many of the participants built floats representing the trials, tribulations and triumphs seen in the Channel over the last year.

These kids had a blast aboard the award winning “The Tide Is High” float which sent very adult messages of disappointment to the Red Cross, Mike Bloomberg, Gov Cuomo, and city agencies and officials who, according to the townspeople, were absent during the cleanup process. It also offered praise to those who helped Broad Channel rebuild, especially the DSNY and a group of traveling Mormons who came to lend a hand.

Politicians met with residents along the route, with Councilman Eric Ulrich and Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder making a return to the town they spent so much time in after the storm. “This town is a reason for everyone to have hope,” Ulrich said. “This [the parade] is just the latest sign that Broad Channel is rebuilding and bouncing back better than ever.”

Both Ulrich and Goldfeder said they were continually encouraged in the darkest days of the storms aftermath by watching the way the people of Broad Channel not only helped themselves, but sought out others who needed help as well.

The local electeds were joined by both Republican candidates for mayor. John Catsimatidis was met with criticism and boos, while Joe Lhota was a welcomed crowd pleaser, drawing booming cheers of support. “I am not waiting to be mayor to get the buildings department down here,” he said in response to the thunderous applause. Lhota said he would be making immediate plans to get the DOB to come down to Broad Channel with a trailer and help people with the permit process. “This,” he said, “has gone on long enough.”

The parade is rich in local history. When it started in the early 1900’s, it was to finance the building of the Channel’s firehouse, which is still in use today.

By Patricia Adams