Tree is Dowd's latest contribution for town
By Adam Kuczynski, Staff Writer
Chances are you have seen Mike Dowd in Belleville. You may not know him by name, or even by face, but you can recognize him by his bike. Now you may know him for his tree, as well.
Dowd, a long-time resident and avid cyclist, received a small Red Maple tree some years ago from the Frantantoni family of Belleville. He has been nurturing and working with the tree, growing it about 15 feet into the air.
"I'm into gardening," he said, explaining why he accepted the tree.
But Dowd's success at growing the tree caused him to run into a hurdle. The tree consistently outgrew its pot year after year.
Vincent Frantantoni explained that he would go help Dowd move the tree into a newer, larger pot. Most recently, the tree was placed in a toy box, Dowd said.
Dowd explained that he is not allowed to plant the tree on his current residence, so he began looking for other options.
It was then that Frantantoni brought up the issue at a Belleville Township Council meeting last month. He told the council members about Dowd's history of helping others, and requested that the council consider taking the tree and placing it somewhere on the township hall property, with perhaps a plaque commemorating Dowd's achievements.
The council seemed very keen on the idea, and agreed to look into it. Dowd said that he spoke with Mayor Jerry Digori last week, and said that the mayor supported the initiative.
Dowd said that the plans could change, but as of now, it looks as if the tree will be placed somewhere around township hall. Digori was not available for comment.
Dowd's charitable efforts have been well under way for the past 15 or so years. He has biked and rode in multiple tours, all of which supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Dowd is blind in one eye, deaf in one ear, and half-deaf in the other, has continually raised money for the society through these tours.
He said that he regularly competes in two tours a year, one in May and the other in September. The one in May, known as the "Coast the Coast" event, is put on by the Mid-Jersey Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, while the September event is sponsored by the Greater North Jersey chapter.
He has raised thousands of dollars for the events. Both bike tours are over 100 miles, and require a large amount of time to complete. Dowd said that this past May was his best time ever, as he clocked in about 8 1/2 hours a day for the two days.
Frantantoni reiterated his beliefs that Dowd is a great example and representative of Belleville.
Dowd moved to Belleville when he was around 1-year-old, and attended School No. 8, and School No. 4, Belleville Middle School, and Belleville High School.
He started his cycling career on a humorous note, he said. He knew a girl in Newton and wanted to go visit her. So, he took his bike and traveled to the town. He expected to get there in three hours, but instead, it took him six. He said he was so tired, he had to take a cab back.
That endurance ride began his love affair with cycling. It hasn't come without bumps and downfalls, either. Dowd explained that he had a couple of falls in the early 1990s when he scraped his hands, arms, and legs. However, he was determined to always get right back up and start riding again.
This wouldn't be the first time that Dowd has been honored.
One of his larger honors occurred about four years ago when he had the opportunity to carry the 2002 Olympic Torch for a bit in Staten Island, N.Y.
He described the event as something he would never forget. He carried the icon two-tenths of a mile before another individual picked up the run.
He still has the torch at his house, he added. Dowd said that a restaurant in Denville even named a sandwich after him in honor of his achievement.
And just recently, at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Dowd said he was honored by the bands Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Chicago.
During the intermission of the July 1 concert, Dowd said he was given the "Music is Unity" award for his "efforts" for the "betterment" of the community.
Although, the accolades are not the motivation that pushes him forward. Instead, he said, his family and friends serve as motivation. He calls them his "engine."
He also hopes that his example inspires those who are disabled to strive towards their goals.
The cyclist, bowler, basketball player, and WBHS volunteer added that disabilities should not stop anyone from trying what they want to do in life.
"There are people out there that go out, and there are people who don"t want to take the chance," he said. "But, they should."
As for the tree, Dowd is grateful that the township has agreed to look into taking it from him.
"I didn't know how long it was going to last," he said.
His only request is that they tell him where it is, because he would like to continue providing care of it, since he has been doing it for so long.
Dowd, a long-time resident and avid cyclist, received a small Red Maple tree some years ago from the Frantantoni family of Belleville. He has been nurturing and working with the tree, growing it about 15 feet into the air.
"I'm into gardening," he said, explaining why he accepted the tree.
But Dowd's success at growing the tree caused him to run into a hurdle. The tree consistently outgrew its pot year after year.
Vincent Frantantoni explained that he would go help Dowd move the tree into a newer, larger pot. Most recently, the tree was placed in a toy box, Dowd said.
Dowd explained that he is not allowed to plant the tree on his current residence, so he began looking for other options.
It was then that Frantantoni brought up the issue at a Belleville Township Council meeting last month. He told the council members about Dowd's history of helping others, and requested that the council consider taking the tree and placing it somewhere on the township hall property, with perhaps a plaque commemorating Dowd's achievements.
The council seemed very keen on the idea, and agreed to look into it. Dowd said that he spoke with Mayor Jerry Digori last week, and said that the mayor supported the initiative.
Dowd said that the plans could change, but as of now, it looks as if the tree will be placed somewhere around township hall. Digori was not available for comment.
Dowd's charitable efforts have been well under way for the past 15 or so years. He has biked and rode in multiple tours, all of which supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Dowd is blind in one eye, deaf in one ear, and half-deaf in the other, has continually raised money for the society through these tours.
He said that he regularly competes in two tours a year, one in May and the other in September. The one in May, known as the "Coast the Coast" event, is put on by the Mid-Jersey Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, while the September event is sponsored by the Greater North Jersey chapter.
He has raised thousands of dollars for the events. Both bike tours are over 100 miles, and require a large amount of time to complete. Dowd said that this past May was his best time ever, as he clocked in about 8 1/2 hours a day for the two days.
Frantantoni reiterated his beliefs that Dowd is a great example and representative of Belleville.
Dowd moved to Belleville when he was around 1-year-old, and attended School No. 8, and School No. 4, Belleville Middle School, and Belleville High School.
He started his cycling career on a humorous note, he said. He knew a girl in Newton and wanted to go visit her. So, he took his bike and traveled to the town. He expected to get there in three hours, but instead, it took him six. He said he was so tired, he had to take a cab back.
That endurance ride began his love affair with cycling. It hasn't come without bumps and downfalls, either. Dowd explained that he had a couple of falls in the early 1990s when he scraped his hands, arms, and legs. However, he was determined to always get right back up and start riding again.
This wouldn't be the first time that Dowd has been honored.
One of his larger honors occurred about four years ago when he had the opportunity to carry the 2002 Olympic Torch for a bit in Staten Island, N.Y.
He described the event as something he would never forget. He carried the icon two-tenths of a mile before another individual picked up the run.
He still has the torch at his house, he added. Dowd said that a restaurant in Denville even named a sandwich after him in honor of his achievement.
And just recently, at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Dowd said he was honored by the bands Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Chicago.
During the intermission of the July 1 concert, Dowd said he was given the "Music is Unity" award for his "efforts" for the "betterment" of the community.
Although, the accolades are not the motivation that pushes him forward. Instead, he said, his family and friends serve as motivation. He calls them his "engine."
He also hopes that his example inspires those who are disabled to strive towards their goals.
The cyclist, bowler, basketball player, and WBHS volunteer added that disabilities should not stop anyone from trying what they want to do in life.
"There are people out there that go out, and there are people who don"t want to take the chance," he said. "But, they should."
As for the tree, Dowd is grateful that the township has agreed to look into taking it from him.
"I didn't know how long it was going to last," he said.
His only request is that they tell him where it is, because he would like to continue providing care of it, since he has been doing it for so long.
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