The Clarion County commissioners on Tuesday approved the “Vigil for Unity and Peace” at Clarion County Veterans Park.
The vigil, designed to bring awareness about racism and its victims, will begin at the bell tower at Clarion University and proceed along Main Street to the park. The candlelight vigil will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and last about an hour.
The vigil is for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and “countless others who have suffered in the wake of systemic racism,” according to a flyer advertising the vigil.
The organizers request participants to wear black as a sign of respect and unity. Participants also are asked to observe health and safety guidelines by wearing a face mask and respect social distancing requirements.
Promoting the county
The commissioners voted to advertise the county in several urban markets. The Hotel Tax Committee requested a $4,980 grant for advertising and marketing with a focus on outdoor activities.
Commissioner Wayne Brosius said the advertisements would spotlight the area’s wine and beer industry and motorcycling.
Kristy Amato, a member of the Hotel Tax committee, said earlier that the advertising would be in several sections of Ohio and Pittsburgh.
The grant request was originally proposed in May before the county moved to the “green phase” of reopening. The motion was tabled when Commissioner Ted Tharan expressed concern over inviting visitors from areas that were still in the “red zone” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Revenue from the room tax fell during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Clarion County Treasurer Tom McConnell said earlier the revenue was at about $27,000 for the first quarter of the year. The first quarter of 2019 produced $58,000 in revenue.
Brosius said the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau would prepare the ads.