WILKES-BARRE — There was a new mayor in charge at City Hall on Friday … and a new fire chief and a new councilman.
With Mayor George Brown off due to illness, City Administrator Charles McCormick welcomed Graham Academy students Hunter King, Michael Sims and Dallas McGowan to serve as honorary mayor, fire chief and council member for the day, respectively.
McCormick read proclamations describing personal and academic accomplishments signed by the mayor for each student who was present as well as for two who couldn’t be there — Joseph Pugh, who was named police chief for the day, and Jasmine Sosa, who was named an honorary council member for the day.
Fire Chief Jay Delaney, Police Chief Joseph Coffay and Community Policing Sgt. Jamie Sheridan also were present to honor the students at a ceremony in council chambers.
The event, which has become an annual tradition, is done to help celebrate World Autism Awareness Month every April.
The celebration continues Saturday, when Graham Academy partners with King’s College, Wilkes University and Misericordia University to host a festival on Public Square to bring acceptance and awareness to the students they serve.
The day begins with a 5K walk at 10 a.m., followed by the festival, featuring food trucks, vendors and organizations providing family resources, sensory tables and more.
Midnight Rhythm Section will take the stage at noon, followed by Justin Bravo and the Kind at 1:30 p.m. and Rainbridge at 3 p.m. Ben Hartranft, an adult with autism who gives motivational talks nationally through his Benergy organization, will be the guest speaker at 4 p.m. A Johnny Cash tribute band will take the stage at 4:30p.m., and The Jimmy Band will begin playing at 6 p.m.
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