Arts & Entertainment

Baldwin Council, Mayor Cancel Community Day Boxing (UPDATED SCHEDULE)

'There are plenty of activities planned for the day that are family-friendly and more appropriate for Community Day.' - borough Manager John Barrett

Calling boxing matches "(not) an appropriate event for our Community Day," the Baldwin Borough Council and Mayor Alexander Bennett Jr. are overruling a pugilistic plan by the borough's Community Day Association.

The decision comes about a week prior to Community Day, which will be held on Saturday, June 8, at the Baldwin Municipal Complex along Churchview Avenue.

Live boxing would have been a new feature at Community Day, which is at least part of the reason why the association was hoping to include it in the day's festivities.

"What is so perplexing for 2013," association President Darlene Schrello said, "we were invited to a special meeting in July 2012 to brainstorm of what could we do to add new things and try and make it (Community Day) bigger. This year, the opportunity was presented to the association for amateur boxing, which had been discussed at all of our meetings, and we didn't receive objections."

Schrello said that borough officials even cut a check for reserve payment for boxing-related activity on Community Day.

"The request for this disbursement was very clear that it was for boxing," Schrello said.

Nevertheless, in a letter addressed to Schrello on May 30, borough Manager John Barrett expressed the council and mayor's decision to cancel the boxing plans, which included matches featuring Baldwin High School senior Matt Conway and sophomore Shawn Cusick.

"The borough will not allow this event to occur on the municipal grounds or any property owned and maintained by the borough," Barrett wrote, "nor will we authorize the expenditure of public funds to support this activity."

Barrett then issued a news release the next day explaining the decision.

"Baldwin Community Day is intended to be a family-oriented, community-building event that showcases all of the positive attributes the borough has to offer," the news release states.

It continues, "When asked to give his opinion on the notion of amateur boxing featured at Baldwin Community Day, Mayor Bennett had this to say: 'This isn't about boxing. I enjoy boxing. I watch boxing on television with my buddies all the time. However, if my grandkids enter the room, I reach for the remote control."

Here is an updated 2013 Community Day schedule, which still includes the annual Baldwin Mile as well as amusement rides for kids, a community parade, vendor booths, free swimming, fireworks and more:

All Day: Vendor booths (See list of vendors and their promotions below.)
9 a.m.: Baldwin Mile
11 a.m.: Community Parade from Willett Road to Municipal Complex
Noon: Opening Ceremonies at Municipal Complex
Noon-4 p.m.: Amusement Rides for Kids (Whip and Tub of Fun by Frank Marucci)
1-4 p.m.: "Mad Science"
1-8 p.m.: Free swimming at Baldwin Borough Swimming Pool, courtesy of Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering, Inc.
1 p.m.-?: Sixty bicycle helmets given away at Baldwin Kiwanis Club booth on a first-come first-served basis (Parents of recipients must be present.)
1:30-3 p.m.: Karen Tobias Dance Studio and Gemini Gymnastics performances in the municipal building auditorium
2 p.m.: Local firefighters (north vs. south) softball game at Romanus Field (part of the municipal complex)
3-5 p.m.: Local firefighters' mock car accident
6-10 p.m.: Music by Rockin' Bob's Disc Jockeys
10 p.m.: Fireworks by Pyrotecnico

Vendors and Promotions: Baldwin Borough Community Day Association (instant bingo, bottled water), Baldwin Historical Society (Baldwin Log House tours, children's games, Frontier Day demonstrations like quilting, rug-hooking, blacksmithing, embroidering and butter-making), Skyhawks Pittsburgh (information), Jefferson Memorial Cemetery and Funeral Home (information), Baldwin Kiwanis Club (canned pop, bicycle helmets), Baldwin Borough Public Library (duck pond game, ring toss game), Nix Vogel American Legion Ladies Auxiliary (meatball sandwiches, hot sausage sandwiches, cookies), Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Multi-municipal Shade Tree Commission (information, volunteer sign-ups), Baldwin Band Patrons (funnel cakes, fried Oreos), Northwood Realty Services (Plinko game), Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Chamber of Commerce (information), Baldwin-Whitehall Patch (free subscriptions), Baldwin Borough Democratic Committee (lollipop game, glow toys, string game), Baldwin Independent Fire Company No. 1 (goldfish game), Spencer United Methodist Church (coffee, corn on the cob, kielbasa & sauerkraut, hot dogs), Chick-fil-A (chicken sandwiches, sweet tea, fresh lemonade), Whitehall Community Lions Club (brooms, garbage bags), Baldwin Borough Steering Commission (information), Coldwell Banker (iPad raffle), Baldwin-Whitehall Service Employees Association (information), Carrick Community Boxing Association (barbecue chicken and ribs, peanuts), Jack's Ice Cream (ice cream cones, cotton candy, shaved ice).

"Residents are encouraged not to allow the news of this (boxing cancellation) to sway them from attending the event," the borough's news release states.

Barrett is also quoted in the release as saying, "There are plenty of activities planned for the day that are family-friendly and more appropriate for Community Day 2013. The Baldwin Community Day will still include a 1-mile run, a parade, free swim and the perfect nightcap—fireworks!"


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