Canonsburg Council Changes Decision on July 4 Parade Chair Placement

Canonsburg Council on Monday voted to reverse its decision to restrict the placement of Fourth of July Parade chairs to 6 a.m. the day of the parade.

Councilman Joe McGarry made a motion to allow enthusiasts to place their chairs along Pike Street 48 hours prior to the parade date—but no earlier than 6 a.m.

Councilman Rich Russo seconded the motion.

Chairs that are placed out before that date will be removed and taken to the borough garage. Chairs are not permitted to be locked down, Mayor David H. Rhome said.

But before a vote could be taken, Councilman Paul Sharkady spoke from a written statement.

He mentioned safety issues regarding the tape and other items used to secure the chairs along the parade route, and said he believed it could constitute as a liability for the borough.

Sharkady also mentioned that enthusiasts from out of town do not have an opportunity to set up chairs because all of the spaces would be taken up.

“What we don’t need is any notoriety that we don’t care…about our visitors,” he said.

Councilman Tim Bilsky also spoke up, saying that he also believed allowing parade enthusiasts advanced set up of chairs would constitute a liability issue.

“I don’t see if being outlandish in any way,” Bilskey said of the original deadline set by council of 6 a.m. the morning of the parade.

The motion ultimately passed 6-3, with Sharkady, Councilman Joe Graff and Bilsky casting the dissenting votes.