Officials with the City of Pittston have canceled the St. Patrick’s Parade Day Leprechaun Loop 5K run/1-mile walk on March 7 for safety reasons, although the parade itself will go on as planned.
“Over my tenure as mayor I’ve found that doing what’s right is more important than being right. I’ve used this principle to guide my decision making process through many difficult decisions,” Mayor Mike Lombardo said in a post Friday morning on his Facebook page.
Lombardo said he made the decision Thursday after a lengthy discussion with police, fire, EMS, public works and his senior administration team, adding that public safety is always his first and foremost concern as mayor.
“This winter has been extremely challenging with multiple ice and snow events compounded by extremely low and sustained temperatures. These factors have made road maintenance challenging. Given the unpredictably of the weather over the next several weeks, narrow neighborhood streets, an abundance of piled snow, an already exhausted winter budget and an already taxed public works department, I believe it is prudent to cancel the race and walk,” Lombardo said.
“I am not willing to risk any walkers, runners or volunteers getting injured. I am also mindful of my fiduciary responsibility and cannot justify deployment of materials and public works employees ‘just to make it happen,’” Lombardo added.
Having run throughout high school and college himself, Lombardo said he realizes the cancellation is a letdown to the participants who were looking forward to the event.
“For that, I am sorry. Also, to the Parade/Race Committee who work tirelessly to plan and present a quality event, I apologize. But, I know safety guides your decision making process as well,” Lombardo said. “Finally, let me say what I love most about our city, my team and the many wonderful committees that help bring great events to Pittston: We always rise up!”
The parade is scheduled to step off on Main Street at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7.