Englewood — "For those of you who sleep in Englewood, drive in Englewood, work in Englewood or just stop at a red light in Englewood, thank you for joining us today at our fifth annual Residents Day."
Those were the words of Mayor Michael Wildes to a group of business owners and residents who came out to support the annual event on May 4.
The event was held at Zeytinia, a specialty food store and restaurant located on Palisade Avenue in the heart of downtown.
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photo by kevin riley
Mayor Michael Wildes speaks to a crowd of residents and business owners during Residents Day.
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Local bank manager Giuseppe Cascio said he came to the event to introduce his institution to new neighbors.
"It’s nice to get involved in the town and see what the town’s all about," he said. "Sometimes, you never get to know anybody so in this case, you can mingle with the merchants in town."
Along with mingling, residents were able to enjoy sandwiches, cookies and chocolate and depart with gift bags filled with a variety of items from local businesses including gift cards, coupons, samples and an assortments of cups, pens and key chains.
Wildes advised the crowd to eliminate the divides in a time where the nation faces those challenges.
"Whether you came as a resident because you’re interested in your community or you came as a businessman or businesslady because you’re interested in helping evolve, the truth is, we all have to make sure that we eliminate divides," he said. "The only way we’ll do that is by getting to know one another."
Shira Jacobs, an Englewood resident for nearly nine years, said she came out to the event to show her support.
"I just think it’s great to promote the town and to exhibit new businesses and just for community togetherness," she said.
Rep. Robert Andrews spoke to the crowd and noted that the city is full of people who can trace their origins to every continent.
"There are people who worship in mosques on Friday, synagogues on Saturday, churches on Sunday, there are liberals and conservatives, republicans and democrats," he said. "Englewood is a jewel around New Jersey…it’s recognized as a place where we are united by our diversity rather than divided by our differences."
E-mail: Andrews@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6723
