Ridgefield News
May 29, 2000

Memorial Day 2000

The Board of Selectmen marches. From left: Joseph Heyman, Barbara Manners, David Manners (Barbara's son), First Selectman Rudy Marconi, Peter Yanity, and Steve Zemo.

May 29 -- Ridgefield's traditional Memorial Day Parade was a huge success. The threatened rain stayed away, the sun peeked through, and thousands from Ridgefield and neighboring towns thronged Main Street for the jam-packed procession of civic leaders, youth groups, veterans' organizations, fire engines, antique cars, bands, and floats. In a marked departure from past practice, Ridgefield's new Democratic First Selectman, Rudy Marconi, led the Selectmen in marching the entire route on foot. The Selectmen said they enjoyed the closer contact with the crowd, and Ridgefielders marching and lining the route liked seeing their elected officials walking along side them. In past years, Republican-led Boards of Selectmen have been driven along the route of march.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi was the featured speaker at the ceremony which followed the parade. He reminded Ridgefielders that this is the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, a conflict that is being called "The Forgotten War." Rudy seemed to be everywhere this Mermorial Day, from meeting with the local Democratic volunteers manning the booth before the parade, to leading the Selectmen marching the parade route, and then delivering his address at the Community Center.

Rudy addresses the crowd.

Rudy Marconi stops off at the Democrats booth long before the parade is to start. He reviews preparations, and balloons, with DTC Chair Jim Diamond and Communications head Susan Cocco.

The parade featured something for everyone: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, veterans' groups, marching bands, a parade of fire engines, and lots more. Thousands of youngsters delighted in the parade, the balloons, ice cream, and other goodies, and just the general excitement of the day.

The members of Brownie Troop 869 are obviously having a great time!

DTC Chair Jim Diamond has recruited some young voters-to-be to the Maloney For Congress cause.

The Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee manned a booth which offered voter registration information and assistance, a look at the Democrats' award-winning web site, campaign literature for Al Gore, Joe Lieberman, and Jim Maloney, and balloons for the kids. The booth was a busy place throughout the morning.

The DTC booth is very busy. Mark Robinson and Karen Howes are working to organize the handouts.

The Ridgefield High School marching band.

Of all the attractions offered at the Democrats' kiosk, the bright blue balloons were by far the favorite. In fact, balloon demand ran so high that the supply of helium was exhausted, and volunteers had to blow up some of the balloons the "old fashioned way," by huffing and puffing. No wise cracks about political hot air, please!

Mark Robinson helps a young Maloney supporter get ready for the campaign.

A dozen or so Democratic volunteers helped with parade day duties, and were pleased with the positive reception by townspeople. "We were delighted that so many people stopped by," said DTC Chair Jim Diamond. "Many just wanted to say hello, to chat about the upcoming election, or to tell us what a great job they thought our new First Selectman Rudy Marconi was doing," he added.

DTC member and assistant Registrar Ethel Eckhaus (center, seated at table) registers a new Democrat as DTC Chair Jim Diamond (left) watches.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi (left) is introduced to the Memorial Day crowd by American Legion head Bob Tulipani (right).

Town Committee Chairman Jim Diamond made the Memorial Day festivities a key event for Ridgefield Democrats. Democratic volunteers responded with an enthusiastic turnout.

School board member Bob Opotzner worked the Democratic booth. He helped pass out Maloney balloons to future Ridgefield school students.

DTC Chairman Jim Diamond (left) talks with webmaster Dave Nichols.

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