January 5, 2021: Mayor's Report
GOOD EVENING
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MARMORA AND LAKE RESIDENTS,
COUNCIL AND STAFF
December 15th (a.m.)
I participated in the regular meetings of Hastings County Planning and Development and Finance, Property and Personnel.
December 15th (p.m.)
I participated in the regular Hastings County Council Meeting.
December 15th (p.m.)
I chaired our regular Council Meeting.
December 16th
I participated in the weekly conference call with Hastings County and Hastings Prince Edward County Board of Health.
December 21st
Warden Phillips attended the office with greetings from Hastings County.
December 22nd
I met with the Marmora and Lake Emergency Control Group. At that time the Province announced that we would be considered in total lockdown effective December 26th.
December 23rd
I met with Mark Hanley, Hastings County to discuss economic development and business support in the community.
December 29th
I participated in the weekly conference call with Hastings County and Hastings Prince Edward County Board of Health. The main topics of this meeting was the statistics of COVID positive cases in the area and the practicality of the complete lockdown imposed by the Province considering that this area does not have the increased cases such as Toronto and Peel.
A number of officials expressed their opposition to the lockdown stating the effect on small businesses in their areas while big box stores continue to operate as usual.
The recommendation was that an appeal is made to the Premier to reduce the lockdown time in this area to 14 days instead of 28 days.
Discussion among participants determined that if the lockdown time is reduced here, visitors from the lockdown areas will come here for shopping and services. This could result in an increased risk to spreading the virus and ultimately put pressure on the health care system here.
Christmas and New Year gatherings are already expected to increase positive cases. Symptoms can take 7 - 10 days and test with diagnosis another few days. It was decided that this matter would be discussed at the next meeting on January 6th• By that time, the outcome of the Christmas and New Year get-togethers and events could be considered. Also, there is the possibility that the 28-day lockdown could be extended if positive cases continue to increase.
January 2nd
I prepared a report from the Mayor's office to be included in the Crowe Lake Waterways Association newsletter.
I'm sure most of you are interested in when you can expect to receive the COVID vaccine and how it will be distributed. For your information, I am going to read a letter I received from General (Ret'd) Rick Hillier sent on behalf of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force dated December 31, 2020.
THANK YOU,
Mayor Jan O'Neill