WATERTOWN â The trial of a local man accused of criminal tampering when he reportedly took down a Gay Pride flag that hung in front of City Hall last year is scheduled to start on Monday.
Donnie Lee Barrigar, of Union Street, was charged with third-degree criminal tampering on June 23 after he allegedly took down the flag that hung in front of City Hall in celebration of Gay Pride.
At the time of his arrest, Mr. Barrigar said he was well within his Constitutional rights to take down the flag. He insisted that heâs protected by his First Amendment rights to use the Gay Pride flag in his protest, saying he gets his views about homosexuality from his religious beliefs.
Trial begins Monday for Watertown man accused of removing Gay Pride flag nny360.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nny360.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
WATERTOWN â City officials havenât given up on having people sitting on their blankets at Thompson Park to watch fireworks and hear an orchestra play patriotic songs at the cityâs Fourth of July concert this summer.
A few weeks ago, the Watertown Noon Rotary canceled the July 4th celebration at Thompson Park because of the uncertainty with COVID-19. The event also wasnât held last summer because of the pandemic.
But the City Council will be asked on Monday night to appropriate $40,000 from the general fund balance to provide funding for the concert and fireworks. The festivities would be held on July 1.
WATERTOWN â Leonard G. Spaziani will have to wait until the next City Council meeting to know if he will be appointed to fill a vacant council seat.
Council members met with him in executive session for about 30 minutes before deciding to table the appointment until the April 19 council meeting.
âMr. Spaziani wasnât shy on his answers,â Mayor Jeffrey M. Smith said after the closed-door session. âWe know where he stands.â
Mr. Spaziani said he didnât pull any punches during the interview.
âI told them what I thought,â he said. âThe city needs help.â
Two weeks ago, he approached Councilwoman Lisa A. Ruggiero about filling the seat for the rest of the year after council members could not agree on appointing two other candidates who were interviewed for the position. He describes himself as âa no-nonsense guy.â
WATERTOWN â Organizers have gotten the go-ahead to put on the Jefferson County Dairy Parade in June after last yearâs event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jay M. Matteson, agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Economic Development Agency, said he found out late Thursday afternoon that the parade in Watertown can be held on June 4, with the theme this year is âThis Milk is For You!â
âWe got it approved,â Mr. Matteson, agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Economic Development Agency, said. âWeâre very excited. This is a real parade.â
City Manager Kenneth A. Mix and Jefferson County Board of Legislators Chairman Scott A. Gray both signed off on having the parade this year, as long as COVID-19 cases remain low.