Franklin Lakes September 12, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Antique Car Show organizers seek council approval by Frank J. McMahon The Jersey Lakeland Region Vintage Chevrolet Club of America has appealed to the Franklin Lakes Council for permission to hold its annual Antique Car Show at McBride Field on Franklin Lake Road next Memorial Day weekend. The show has been held on McBride Field for almost 35 years, and the VCCA wants to schedule the event for May 26, 2013. However, recent discussions at council work sessions have revealed some concerns about the number of events being scheduled at that field. The application was first discussed at a work session in early August, at which time Mayor Frank Bivona questioned if such a show on the McBride Field was appropriate for the borough. He pointed out at that time that the show creates additional traffic for the Urban Farms Shopping Center, which is located across the street from the field, and competes with that shopping center by selling food and other products. Bivona questioned the connection the show had to the borough, and he explained that the field will soon have a parking lot and a permanent ball field on the site once the construction of the United Water New Jersey well facility is completed on the Wyandotte Drive side of the field. At that meeting, the council asked Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart to obtain a report from the police department and the department of public works about last year’s event. Both reports contained favorable comments about the club’s show. At last week’s council work session, VCCA President Ron Panicucci pointed out that he has been personally involved with the show for 28 years, and there have been no traffic problems associated with the event. Panicucci referred to a letter he recently wrote to Borough Administrator Hart on behalf of the VCCA Show Committee to present the club’s request for the use of the field for the 38th Annual Car Show and Flea Market in 2013. In his letter, he addressed the three issues related to the annual show that have been discussed by the council, which are its impact, its connection with the community, and the VCCA’s financial proposal. Panicucci stated that his group has always worked closely with the police and the department of public works and provided all the signage requested, including signs to direct spectators to the parking area on the field. He pointed out that crossing guards are provided on Franklin Lake Road and the police assist with directing traffic at the conclusion of the show. He noted that there has never been an incident at the show. He advised Hart that his group provides all of its own supplies, coordinates the cutting of the grass with the DPW, and provides its own Porta-John facilities and garbage dumpster. He added that the club’s members thoroughly walk the field before leaving to ensure the property is left in pristine condition. On the issue of the show’s connection to the borough, Panicucci indicated that the club has been holding the show on McBride field for close to 35 years and is known as the Franklin Lakes Vintage Car Show, which distinguishes the event from many other shows due to its location on a grassy field, which is a more enjoyable location than an asphalt parking lot. “Many who attend comment on the show being one of the best-run shows in the area,” Panicucci stated, “and they look forward to it on an annual basis. What better way can a connection be explained than by a 30-plus-year tradition which has made Memorial Day Weekend, McBride Field, and the Antique Car Show synonymous?” Panicucci pointed out that Franklin Lakes provides the largest number of show cars during the event, and the 2012 show produced more Franklin Lakes cars than any of the club’s shows in the past eight years. Panicucci added that the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve has been included in the group’s fundraising efforts, and they propose to continue that support next year. According to Panicucci, the club’s main charity for the past 18 years has been the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey. The club has contributed $33,000 to that charity. (continued on page 23)