Concerned about public health and safety due to COVID-19 and potential liability issues, Clarion Borough Council on Tuesday rejected a special-event request for proposed Autumn Leaf Festival events and activities.
The request, submitted by Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry Executive Director Tracy Becker, was rejected by a 6-1 margin. Ben Aaron was the lone council member who approved the request.
Becker had submitted a request for a slate of events to be held between Oct. 1 and 4.
Events still on?
According to a tentative schedule offered by Becker, a corn hole tournament on Oct. 1; Touch-A-Truck, a kids carnival, “Wild World of Animals,” live music and fireworks, all on Oct. 3, are planned at the Clarion Mall in Monroe Township.
Becker, in response to a council member’s question as to whether those events would still go on, said, “I don’t know if it will be feasible.”
During a Monroe Township supervisors meeting, which also was held Tuesday, Chairman Walter Shook said, “I don’t know what is going on with ALF. I haven’t heard much about it lately.”
The township doesn’t require special-event permits for activities such as ALF.
Already canceled by ALF organizers were the kiddies parade, the main parade, the car show, the carnival and rides.
Clarion University already had canceled all of its student- and alumni-related events and all homecoming events.
Farmers and Crafters Day, which draws thousands of people to Clarion’s Main Street, already had been canceled as an in-person event and is now scheduled to be an online activity.
Council remarks
“This request causes me great concern,” council member Brenda Sanders Dede said. “When Clarion County has a very low infection rate, why invite people to come into our community and spread the virus?”
Dede said the Clarion County area has been lucky and blessed in that there has been a low infection and death rate.
“I’m concerned that if we do this – on any scale – we invite risk to our county, our livelihoods, our lives, everything. Look, if the Rose Bowl can be canceled, Autumn Leaf Festival can be canceled.”
John Marshall, the borough’s legal counsel, said ALF events usually attract more than 250 people, and that is above safety guidelines that are in response to the pandemic.
Marshall said the special-event request didn’t include any provision for “how that would play out, or how it would be enforced, or how that was going to occur to limit the gatherings to that size.
“I believe there would be an enforcement issue as far as masks and social distancing guidelines. I think if the borough endorsed the Autumn Leaf Festival this year and gave its blessing, it would be my opinion the borough would significantly increase its exposure to liability based on the current guidelines.”
Becker said plans included numerous signs reminding visitors and participants of the need to wear face masks and maintain a social distance of 6 feet.
Hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer also would be available.
Council member Rachel Roberts said she didn’t see how social distancing could be maintained in the smaller confines planned for the concerts, and Dede said there likely would be visitors refusing to wear face masks.
“You can try your best, but as council, we have a responsibility to the citizens who live in the community to make the right decision so they’re not in harm’s way because of the people who choose not to wear a mask or choose not to social distance,” Roberts said.
Clarion police Chief William H. Peck IV expressed concerns about the plans, noting some borough police officers have been exposed to COVID-19.
“And, I have a couple of guys who aren’t real thrilled about it in the department, so that’s pretty much my position.”
Council member Zach Garbarino said he initially favored allowing the ALF events to go on as requested, but changed his mind after hearing Peck’s comments.
Council President Carol Lapinto said the decisions concerning ALF have been difficult for everyone involved.
“Without proper masks, without social distancing, I just can’t see it working,” she said. “I’m worried for the residents of Clarion Borough.”
Aaron countered, “You don’t have to worry about me – I’ll worry about myself.”
Council members also were advised of a letter from former borough Mayor William Miller.
“If the goal of the Clarion chamber is to attract large numbers of shoppers, then this goes against efforts to curb the virus,” Miller wrote. “If the chamber response is ‘Don’t worry, not many people will attend it,’ then why have it?”
Miller noted the state fair, the Butler County Fair and many other large events have been canceled.
“I am concerned there could be a liability issue should visiting crafters, shoppers, local citizens and our police officers become infected,” he wrote. “Council members – you are faced with a serious decision. There is a possibility of a serious negative outcome. Why risk it? Not this year.”
Current Mayor Brett Whitling said ALF means a lot to everyone, but he agrees with council’s majority stance.
“There’s been so many great memories of ALF in the past, and I look forward to next year to continuing to make new memories,” he said.