Traci Kinsler, Director Marion Public Health, Marion County Sheriff Tim Bailey, Marion Police Chief Bill Collins, and Prosecuting Attorney Ray Grogan, release the following statement:
As the Sheriff, Police Chief, Prosecutor and Director of Public Health, our hearts break for our graduating High School Seniors because they have had such a serious disruption to what should be some of the best times of their lives. However, our positions mandate that we must follow the law and that we act to protect the citizens of Marion County the best way we can.
Governor Mike DeWine and Director of Ohio Public Health Dr. Amy Acton have issued orders designed to protect Ohioans in this trying time. We support those orders because we have unfortunately seen the deadly consequences this disease has had in our community and we know that they were issued to protect us all.
Unfortunately, Friday Night Lights events with the gathering of people are outside of what is permitted by these orders from the State of Ohio. We are looking forward to the time when we can all celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our graduating Seniors together but, sadly, that time is not now.
We continue to ask all of our fellow citizens of Marion County continue to follow all of the provisions of the public health orders and we know that will get through this crisis together.
You can see the public health orders here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/resources/public-health-orders/public-health-orders
