Sandusky's gov't eliminates Columbus Day as holiday

SANDUSKY — Sandusky's government no longer recognizes Columbus Day as a holiday.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners authorized a change in which staff members reporting to all municipal offices must either work or call off — using a sick or vacation day, for instance — on the second Monday of October. An exception: firefighters and police officers, who work on each holiday.Previously a paid vacation day, paid time off hours for Columbus Day now shift to Election Day, typically falling on the first Tuesday in November.The new rule takes effect this year."We are swapping them to prioritize Voting Day as a day off so that our employees can vote," city manager Eric Wobser said. "It's also because Columbus Day has become controversial, and many cities have eliminated it as a holiday."Despite Columbus discovering the Americas, history records show him and his teams committed many violent acts, enslaved indigenous people and even killed natives.Detailing the days offAmong the days Sandusky staff members receive paid time off for each year:• New Year's Day, Jan. 1• Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday in January• President's Day, the third Monday in February• Good Friday (half-day), the Friday preceding Easter Sunday• Memorial Day, the last Monday in May• Independence Day, July 4• Labor Day, the first Monday in September• Election Day, typically the first Tuesday in November• Veterans Day, Nov. 11• Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November• Friday after Thanksgiving• Christmas Eve, Dec. 24• Christmas, Dec. 25• New Year's Eve (half-day), Dec. 31Note No. 1: If the holiday falls on a weekend, officials receive a weekday off. For instance, if Independence Day falls on a Saturday, city workers don't report to work on the preceding Friday.Note No. 2: Firefighters and police officers who work on the holidays receive a paid time off for another day.Source: Sandusky human resources departmentReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.