TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916 NEWS RELEASE - 6-29-2016

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

JULY 4TH CELEBRATION IN ALDERSON CANCELLED   With   deep   regret,   the   decision   has   been   taken   to   cancel   all   July   4th   Celebration   activities   in   Alderson.      Although the   town   is   making   great   progress   in   clean   up,   there   are   many   factors   that   have   to   be   looked   at   with   the continuance of the celebration.  There   are   some   public   health   issues.      While   streets   and   sidewalks   are   likely   to   be   cleaned   by   the   day   of   the parade,   it   would   be   impossible   to   keep   spectators   off   grassy   areas   which   might   still   harbor   bacteria   left   by   the receding water. There is also some standing water in low lying areas which do not drain well.  Mayor   Travis   Copenhaver   said,   “First,   we   want   to   express   our   deepest   sympathy   to   those   who   lost   loved   ones.     Out   of   respect   to   them   as   well   as   for   health   and   safety   reasons,   we   have   decided   to   cancel   all   July   4th   Celebration activities.      We   had   hoped   to   continue   the   celebration   to   provide   a   bright   spot   for   those   involved   in   this   tragedy.     We   thought   that   providing   an   inexpensive   or   free   bit   of   hometown   entertainment   would   lift   spirits   throughout   the area.      However,   it   is   exhausting   to   do   what   we   have   been   doing   and   so   many   of   the   wonderful   folks   that   have   been providing   flood   relief   and   recovery   are   major   players   in   the   July   4th   activities.      They   have   proved   themselves   to be super-human but we all have our limitations.”  July   4th   Celebration   Committee   Chair   Greg   Eary   said,   “I   hate   to   cancel   because   it   is   hard   to   recover   and   go   again next   year.      We   understand   that   this   is   the   most   prudent   and   respectful   decision   but   we   just   hate   it.      We   are   all   just exhausted.  Please continue to support us and we plan to be back bigger and better next year.”