Dear Editor,

On behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals whose contributions helped to make our annual Ragamuffin Parade such a huge success. I would like to thank our Mayor, David Roberts and the Hoboken City Council, the Hoboken Police Department, especially Chief Carmen LaBruno, Captain Anthony Romano, Lieutenant Walter Wehrhahn, Sergeant Enrico Gnassi, Patrolman Robert Fulton, P.B.A. President Vincent Lombardi and the Hoboken PBA. I would like to thank the Hoboken Fire Department, especially Chief John Casessa and Firefighter Ralph Gallo and fellow firefighters who set up a hot chocolate table for the children at the field. I would like to thank the Department of Environmental Services, especially Director Joseph Peluso, Joe Bucino and the Signal and Traffic Division, the Carpentry Division staff especially Ricky Repetti who did an outstanding job decorating and setting up the Little League Field. I want you to know your talents and efforts were greatly appreciated. I would like to thank the Office of Community Development, especially Stephanie Hottendorff and Bea Inhulsen for their assistance in ordering and setting up the candy bags that were given out to the children on the field. I would also like to thank our honorary chairwoman Chary Mikell for the exceptional job she does as Master of Ceremony and for the great rapport she has with the children on the field. I would also like to thank the judges, who are all volunteers and donate their time to judge this contest.

As Director of Health and Human Services, I would like to personally thank the following employees in my divisions for their hard work, dedication and commitment: Recreation Superintendent Charles Rozzi and his staff Ed Miller, Victor Chirichella, Regina LiCalsi, Tom Licalsi, Joseph Cascetta, Tom Sweeney, Josh Ronga, Joseph Petrillo, John McDonald, Michael Purvis, Brian Cardino and Alyssa Correa. I would also like to thank my secretary MaryAnn Valente for her fundraising efforts and handling the administrative paperwork that goes along with this parade. I would also like to thank Ed Miller and John DeMauro for doing a great job setting up the line of march and getting the parade started on time.

Last but not least, I would like to thank our Cultural Affairs Division Head, Geri Fallo and her staff for all the hard work, time and effort they put into our recent Arts and Music Festival, our children's Harvest Festival, 150th Anniversary Mural Project as well. Additionally a special thank you to the many distinguished police offers who helped initiate the Ragamuffin Parade back in 1964 and a much appreciation, as well as, a debt of gratitude to former Mayor Pat Pasculli and former Councilman Angelo Valente who later resurrected it in 1985 as their contribution to ensuring that this great tradition the "Ragamuffin Parade" would continue.

Sincerely yours,
Carmelo G. Garcia
Director of Health and Human Services