Emerald Green Paraders angry over demise of Sullivan

By Frank Cull

While most of the sheep that march in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade continue to be silent, members of the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies continue to be the Parade watchdogs, constantly striving to reintroduce the democratic process to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

The skulduggery that seems to be a constant part of the parade scene continues as the parade vice chairman, Judge Donald Sullivan, was asked by the parade chairman, John Dunleavy, to resign his vice-chairmanship and accept a post as a director. Sullivan refused the directorship and announced that he was standing for office as vice chairman.

Next came a parade meeting for nominations followed by a meeting for elections. The parade’s inner circle put forth Dr. John Lahey to challenge Judge Sullivan. Lahey was elected with a voter turnout that can only be labeled pathetic, more than likely because people are disgusted.

Lahey, a recent supporter of the parade, was grand marshal in 1997 and serves as president of Quinnipiac College. The college has been a regular advertiser for commercials on the parade telecast on Channel 4-WNBC-TV.

Vice Chairman Lahey did not show up on nominations night nor did he show up for election night.

Jack Clark, chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee to Save the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, was shocked at Sullivan’s demise.

"Judge Sullivan is a respected member of our community and has served as parade vice chairman for almost 10 years and prior to that, as a director. This is the reward that he gets? He must be bitterly disappointed," he said.

Sullivan told Echo that he was very disappointed but not bitter. A member of the MABSTOA Emerald Society who requested anonymity remarked: "This was a sneaky underhanded way to treat this man. I am also a member of New York’s Div. 29 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians where Judge Sullivan has served as president of our Division for the last 10 years with distinction and dedication. What were the parade chairman (Dunleavy) and the secretary (Barker) trying to accomplish?"

Requests denied

Emeralds Brian Sharkey and Michael Lavelle continue to be harassed as charges and counter-charges fly within the confines of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Frank McGrail of AOH Div. 9 and David Kilkenny, New York County Board president, continue to press charges.

Sharkey and Lavelle’s crime was simply to ask for a parade financial report, something that the current administration has not provided since it took office.

Scores of questions continue to be raised: Why hasn’t a financial report on the Knights of St. Patrick ever been issued by the current administration? Why is the Ford Motor Company allowed to take part in the parade despite its job-discrimination record in Northern Ireland? Why doesn’t the Parade Committee publish and distribute minutes of the board meetings and membership meetings, as well as an annual report? What’s the difference between the Knights of St. Patrick and the Friends of St. Patrick? Who voted on the matter of the two parade honorary chairmen?

In the official program for the installation of the Grand Marshal, nowhere in the biographical sketch of Dr. Kevin Cahill does it mention what division of the AOH he belongs to. As per parade rules, is he a member of the AOH? Is the aide to the grand marshal from the Knights of St. Patrick a dues-paying member of the AOH?

Sharkey and Lavelle’s other crime was to ask for information on the newest Constitution and bylaws for the parade. Was there a constitutional revision committee? Who approved the Constitution bylaws and any changes? How does one get a copy?

Organizations that affiliate with the parade are still waiting for the news release to tell them who won trophies in last year’s parade, trophies that are presented to the best marching contingents in the respective categories. Organizations will be watching the official Line of March very closely in light of the fact that five marching units from the United Irish Counties were moved up in last year’s parade. Why the favoritism?

Grand marshal pick

In keeping with the times and the peace accord ringing in the new millennium, the grand marshals for this year’s NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade should have been Gerry Adams, David Trimble and Sen. George Mitchell. Dr. Kevin Cahill is most certainly a worthy candidate, but he could have waited until next year.

Also, this year’s parade should be dedicated to the memory of Willie Joe Cunningham, Mr. Donegal. No matter what the organization, no matter what the event, no matter what the cause, Willie Joe was always there. A human dynamo, he could always be counted on to rise to the occasion.

To site just one example, he served as president of the Donegal Association of New York for 12 terms. Since immigrating in 1948, he has always been a staunch supporter of the parade and it would be a fitting tribute to dedicate the parade to his memory.