Councilmen Start “Music In The Park”

Unedited press release from Councilman James Zecca, D-At-Large.

Submitted photo.

Utica, NY— June 13, 2012 Jim Zecca, Utica Councilman At-Large announced today he along with 1st District Councilman Frank Vescera and 2nd District Councilman Dave Testa plan to sponsor a summer event called “ Music in the Park”. For the past three years Councilman Zecca held a series of West Utica “ Music in the Park” events. The concerts were held in Addison Miller Park, Lincoln Park and Pixley Park.

Earlier this year Lynne Mishalanie and the Utica Monday Nite Board of Directors announced that after 15 years of celebrating Music, Art, History and Heritage, the Utica Monday Nite Board had to end its summer-long programming due to difficult economic times for the Arts.

With the loss of Utica Monday Nite, Councilmen Zecca, Vescera and Testa recognize the people of the City of Utica will be negatively affected by the lack of summer entertainment activities in our neighborhood parks. In these difficult economic times we are seeing families staying close to home with limited funds for family entertainment. We want to continue bringing local musicians to our neighborhood parks. We need to make our neighborhoods more livable and contribute to the quality of life of its citizens. We hope the free music will help to be a focal point for bringing people together as a community.

To start the program off in July, Councilman Zecca, Vescera and Testa along with the following sponsors ( Hage & Hage Law and Consulting,Water Board Member Bruce Brodsky and the UNHS Homeownership Center) are planning to hold a variety of free summer music and entertainment activities in Hanna Park and later in the summer try to expand the program to neighborhood parks throughout the City.

The Councilmen are also looking to recruit volunteers and additional sponsors for these musical events. To volunteer or sponsor an event please contact:

• City of Utica Councilman At-Large James Zecca Tel. 280-8322
• 1st District Utica Common Council Member Frank Vescera Tel. 272-8235
• 2nd District Utica Common Council Member Dave Testa Tel. 507-4513

By Larry Tanoury Jr.