Residents Try to Stop Little Italy Motorcycle Fest

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  Posted by BikerNews January 11, 2010 - Filed in Motorcycle News - 1,603 views
  

  Residents Revved Up Over Little Italy Motorcycle Fest That Benefits Sick Kids
  
  LITTLE ITALY — Some neighborhood residents are trying to put an end to a long-running motorcycle festival that benefits kids with life-threatening illnesses.
  
  Gooch's Garlic Run, which has taken place every June for the past 23 years, helps children with brain tumors, leukemia, multiple sclerosis and other severe illnesses. It's organized by Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, a nonprofit organization of active and retired law enforcement agents, who raise money through corporate sponsorships and entry fees to ride.
  
  It's also been a boon for business with thousands of motorcycle riders flocking to Mulberry Street.
  
  But not everyone in the neighborhood loves it.
  
  “They are uncontrollable," said NoHo resident and Community Board 2 member Zella Jones. "There are bikes and noise and people swearing.”
  
  Residents also believe that the event has no local ties as the money the motorcycle crew from New Jersey has raised mostly benefits children on the other side of the Holland Tunnel.
  
  Last year, Blue Knights raised $40,000 to benefit four children. To appease the Community Board 2, they said they would donate the money to two local kids. But due to a snafu, all proceeds went to kids from New Jersey.
  
  “They didn’t follow through with the spirit of this event for us,” said Michael Chiara, who lives on Mulberry Street. “It doesn’t seem so difficult to achieve this result. They’re not wanted in our neighborhood any more.”
  
  But Community Board 2’s Street Activities and Film Permits chair Evan Lederman said his committee is to blame for not selecting children to receive the money.
  
  “We didn’t want to play favorites,” Lederman said. This year, though, the Street Activities and Film Permits committee has asked that the Blue Knights submit documentation to show how they will ensure money benefits local sick children.
  
  Blue Knights Goodwill Ambassador Jeff Hunker said the group inspects motorcycles to make sure they have federally-approved mufflers before they ride. He said the group also has no qualms about which child benefits from the Garlic Run.
  
  “We don’t care if the kid lives on Mulberry Street, somewhere else in Manhattan or the Bronx. A sick child is a sick child,” he said. “We just want to make a difference in their lives to ease the burden financially for families.”
  
  Some locals also think the Blue Knights ease the economic burden on the community.
  
  “They fill up the restaurants and help local businesses,” said Emily DePalo, who lives on Grand Street. “It’s a little noise when they come and go. So what?”
  
  reprinted from DNAinfo.com - Manhattans Local News

  By Nicole Breskin
  
  DNAinfo Reporter/Producer