Cleveland's mayor proclaimed Wednesday a local holiday to celebrate the Cavaliers' historic season and NBA championship.
The proclamation highlights the Cavaliers breaking a 52-year-streak in Cleveland without a major professional sports championship.
Hailing the team's 93-89 victor as a nail-biting game and one of the hardest fought in NBA history, Mayor Frank G. Jackson stated that the City of Cleveland is proud to celebrate the Cavaliers' championship parade and rally.
"The strength and determination displayed throughout the season, post-season and championship game are truly the embodiment of our city and of its people," Jackson stated.
After declaring June 22, 2016 a Cleveland holiday, Jackson invited all citizens to join him in congratulating the Cleveland Cavaliers and inked his signature in purple.
Downtown Cuyahoga County employees will be given an extended lunch time to go to the parade, under conditions detailed below. But city employees are expected to be at work.
County employees can also dress down in Cavs gear.
The county detailed conditions to take leave in a letter to county employees from the county's communications department, stating:
—From 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM non-essential county employees and employees who are not a part of a minimum staffing crew will be granted an extended lunch period to participate in the celebration parade, without loss of pay. Please check with your supervisor to determine whether you may be released or will be required to work as part of the minimum staffing crew. Released employees may supplement time off by using vacation, compensatory or exchange time. Employees who wish to do so, should request time off from their supervisors as soon as possible.
—County employees who are required to work during the parade will receive 3 and 1/2 hours of compensatory time off.
—Employees who are on pre-scheduled vacation, or who are on sick leave, personal time, FMLA, administrative leave or the like, will be required to use their leave time as usual.
—Employees will be expected to return to work by 2:30 p.m. Please keep in mind that parking and traffic may slow your return and act accordingly.
