Staff writer
Roller skating at the Florence gymnasium has been postponed until June, Mayor Mary Shipman said.
Spring Fling was scheduled for April 28 and the annual alumni banquet was scheduled for May 26, with both events taking place in the gym on a previous roller skating night. Shipman said those events took precedence over roller skating. Former Florence Recreation Director Holly Periello said she tried to convince Florence City Council to have roller skating and the other event simultaneously. She said the organizations that scheduled other events did not consult with her.
Shipman said Periello did not bring the council a schedule of skate events. She added that Periello was unwilling to change roller skating to another night.
“She absolutely refused,” Shipman said.
With appointments due for renewal, the City Council decided to eliminate the position of recreation director and Periello’s work with the city.
Shipman said skating nights would continue in June with a staff of volunteers hosting.
“I imagine I will probably be one of them,” Shipman said of possible volunteers.