Marlinton Mayor’s Corner

As a Christian, the Jewish festivals speak to us in ways that overlap Christian tradition, if we are listening. For instance, Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This year, Hanukkah began on December 2, the first Sunday of Advent, representing hope. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights and comes at a time when many of us are putting up Christmas decorations.

The month of December began with the Town receiving many compliments about the Christmas lights. Particularly, those at the gazebo.

Financial Director Star Barlow and the town crew took great pains in putting up the decorations so they could be enjoyed by all who passed by.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, December 9, the Second Sunday in Advent, things changed. Someone set a cardboard box on fire under the decorated Christmas tree inside the gazebo. The fire destroyed the back of the tree and burned two large holes in the floor of the gazebo. It is a wonder the entire gazebo did not burn down. For your information, other lights have been unplugged, destroyed and stolen.

Having said that, we can see on video an individual running out the back of the gazebo and into the alley that morning at 3:30 a.m. as the fire ignites. Arson and destruction of public property are crimes and will be handled as such.

I am seeking donations for a reward for information which leads to the arrest and prosecution of the person who is responsible.

By the time you read this, the tree will have been decorated again.

Merry Christmas.