Just a Party tries, tries tries again

By Roman J. Uschak, Staff Writer

Belleville’s Just a Party celebration was postponed for a second time due to impending inclement weather.

A new date for the township’s annual block party,  originally scheduled for Sept. 15, was announced. The party will take place today. 

The event will take place at Belleville Plaza, corner of Joralemon Street and Franklin Avenue, from 7 to 10 p.m., and will include music, food, games and entertainment.The notion of Just a Party was brought up at the last meeting of the Belleville Township Council on Sept. 13.

A member of the public asked if holding the event again after a year’s absence meant that the township was better off financially. Councilman Kevin Kennedy said that Just a Party was funded by donations and was not a money-maker for the municipality.

 Last year’s event was also canceled because it would have sent   the wrong message to the public with potential layoffs of municipal workers looming at the time.Township Manager Victor Canning said earlier this month that Just a Party was a special budgetary line item, which was used solely for that particular event. He also said that the celebration was a boon for the local businesses who participated.

“It’s a lucrative night for them,” said Canning.He added that Just a Party did cost the township some overtime for police and fire personnel, but that money earned from the event went back into it for the following year’s celebration.First Ward Councilwoman Marie Strumolo Burke, who helped found Just a Party several years ago, said it was primarily a community event for the children.

Some $20,0000 in donations had been generated this year; but she added that the township was fortunate to have a few thousand dollars left at the end of the night after everything else had been paid.“We have to give something back to the people,” she said of why the event was held, even in tight economic times.For more information on Just a Party, visit www.bellevillenj.org.Roman J. Uschak can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 125, or bellevillepost@thelocalsource.com.