In an effort to make the 2009 Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day Parade sparkle on Sunday, March 15, Senator Jeff Klein is providing a thorough street-sweeping and graffiti removal along the route before the marchers line up. Klein also donated $5,000 for the festivities this year.
This year, the parade travels on E. Tremont Avenue from Lafayette to Harding avenues and then onto Harding, till Davis Avenue. A reviewing stand will be located on E. Tremont Avenue and Harding avenues. The parade kicks off at noon.
“We work very hard from October to March on the parade, and Senator Klein having the foresight to clean the parade’s route ahead of time makes it all the more better,” said Lynn Gerbino, a parade committee member. “It shows that people in Throggs Neck have pride in their community.”
John Cerini, president of the Throggs Neck Merchants Association, said that while he does not believe graffiti is a big problem in the neighborhood, the merchants nevertheless feel that all of the work that Senator Klein does for beatification purposes does have a positive impact.
“I don’t think that we have a major graffiti problem in Throggs Neck, but we really appreciate the Ready, Willing, and Able beautification program because it helps keep Throggs Neck clean and the shoppers coming back,” Cerini said. “We certainly hope that Senator Klein continues to find funding for this program.”
The parade committee, which consists of members of the TNMA, Throggs Neck Home Owners Association, and Throggs Neck Benevolent Society, is looking forward to a great parade this year.
“We appreciate any effort that is made to get Throggs Neck ready for such a big day,” said Karin O’Conner of the parade committee. “It is important that we show that the Bronx is a beautiful, vibrant place that hosts many community and family events. This is a wonderful way to get ready for next Sunday.”
The grand marshals for the 2009 parade are Patrick McGettrick and Rosie Donaghey, with Sister Lucille Coldrick R.D.C. as honored clergy.
Jim McQuade, the owner of Schyler Hill Funeral Home, praised Klein for the work that he has done in bringing the DOE Foundation, which runs Ready, Willing, & Able, to Throggs Neck.
“It is nice to have local elected officials who take care of the little things in the community,” McQuade said. “Klein worries about the minor things as well as the major.”
