Charleroi mulls fate of Community Days

See video from the meeting on our website at www.monvalleyindependent.com.

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Popular summer events across the region are being canceled or postponed.
In Charleroi, officials are unclear about what recreation will look like in the Magic City this summer.
During an agenda meeting Wednesday, council discussed how to move forward with planned events.
Council President Mark Alterici said he has been in communication with Emergency Management Coordinator Glenn Shipley to discuss possibilities.
Shipley recommended canceling movie nights, which cost the borough about $1,500 each year.
“It is a great event, but it is hard to get sponsors to pay for things right now, and after talking to Glenn it was recommended for this year to cancel those,” Alterici said.
The annual farmers market, however, is still scheduled.
Alterici said if farmers and other vendors have products, the market would be open to the public and adhere to social distancing guidelines and restrictions, sometime in June.
“Glenn does not see a problem with the farmers market,” Alterici said. “Being that it is smaller groups.
“But, it does depend on who is available and how the crops are doing. So we will have to see where farmers and other vendors stand.”
The borough’s largest event, Community Days, is up in the air.
Each year, the summer festival attracts thousands of people to the borough for a two-day long event.
This year, council was planning on scaling back the celebration and making it a one-day, smaller event.
With the uncertainty of what restrictions will be in place in August, Alterici suggested an alternative plan.
The borough budgeted $5,000 for fireworks, but all other costs have been donated and musicians are ready to play if they are permitted.
Mark said the borough has already saved money from the canceled events and they have already received donations for Community Days.
“Everyone knows I am in favor of doing fireworks and where I stand,” Alterici said. “We need a win right now and I would like to consider doing two fireworks displays. One on Fourth of July weekend and one during Community Days.”
Alterici said it would not cost additional money and would show the community the borough is thinking of them during a tough time.
“It’s a bad time for everyone right now,” Alterici said. “Everyone needs something positive. After talking to Glenn, he feels comfortable and does not see a problem with social distancing. But it all depends on what Gov. (Tom) Wolf tells us between now and then.”
Councilwoman Heidi Cramer, who is on the parks and recreation committee, said she does not think Community Days will be able to take place.
“I don’t know what will happen by August, but I think this will still be around,” she said. “I don’t think it will go back to having 5,000 people in one area.”
Although the borough is saving money, she thinks the borough should put on a social distance fireworks display in July.
“I think that we should give that to our community,” she said. “Just to let them know we are still thinking of them.
“I really don’t think come August you will find 1,000 people downtown, if anything because people will be afraid to come out.”
Council Vice President Jerry Jericho suggested holding off on a double display.
“We can’t do everything this year,” Jericho said. “We might need that money.”
Councilwoman Jeannine Motycki agreed.
“There are so many other things we could do with that money,” she said.
Fireworks displays cost about $7,500, she added.
Council agreed – but did not vote on – a date in July for the fireworks display. They did agree to reach out to vendors to see how much fireworks would cost and if they are available.
Community Days, and a tentative plan for the event, will be discussed at a later date.