Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is issuing a call to all City of Springfield residents and business to take a moment and pause this Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 4:38 p.m., the time the tornado touched down in Springfield. In a letter dated Tuesday, May 28, 2019 to the City’s spiritual institutions, Mayor Sarno has asked for them to chime their bells on Saturday at 4:38 p.m. to mark the beginning of the tornado’s 6.2 mile long scar through the City of Springfield.
Commenting on the eighth anniversary of the June 1, 2011 tornado, Mayor Sarno stated, “I believe it would be a fitting tribute to pause and reflect on our ability to join together and work so diligently on making our city whole again. It has been a long and arduous recovery process, but the resiliency of the entire City of Springfield has shone through time and time again. To be where we are today, with over $4.1 billion in economic development projects completed or underway, is a testament to the patience and fortitude the City of Springfield has exhibited over the past eight years to come back stronger and more determined to forge a brighter future.”
Included is a copy of the letter sent out to many of the City’s religious organizations.