By Michele Bourdieu
[UPDATE #2: The Jan. 20 meeting previously announced has been postponed to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, according to a message we received today, Wednesday, from Houghton County Commissioners Glenn Anderson and Gretchen Janssen.The zoom link has now been announced on the Houghton County Web site.
HOUGHTON -- The Houghton County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, on Zoom. New Business will include discussion, and a vote, on a proposed Resolution in Support of Local Business. Public comments will be allowed before and after the New Business. The public is invited to join the Zoom meeting (see below).
At the Jan. 12 regular meeting of the Board, Commissioners Tom Tikkanen and Roy Britz offered to write this Resolution. They were assisted later by Commissioner Glenn Anderson, who shared this proposed Resolution with Keweenaw Now:
RESOLUTION 21-01
IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL BUSINESS
WHEREAS, the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death; and
WHEREAS, the Houghton County Board of Commissioners recognizes that Covid-19 is having direct impacts on all County residents, impacts which include but are not limited to, physical and mental health care difficulties, educational constraints, and financial strains; and
WHEREAS, to date, the County has had 2268 cases of Covid-19, or one in 16 residents, and 34 deaths, or one in 1076 residents, and
WHEREAS, the Houghton County Board of Commissioners understands that many local businesses have suffered and continue to suffer economic harm due to Covid-19; and
WHEREAS, Governor Whitmer’s administration has now opened the state to most business except, restaurants, bars, night clubs and contact sports; and
WHEREAS, Michigan is currently one of only three states with a statewide ban on indoor dining; and
WHEREAS, we call on Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature offer state grants to financially assist affected small restaurant and bar owners;* and
WHEREAS, Houghton County Board of Commissioners recognizes that our citizens and visitors are resourceful, intelligent and capable of safely supporting businesses while following safe Covid-19 protocols; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Houghton County Board of Commissioners call upon Governor Whitmer and MDHHS Director Gordon to immediately suspend restrictions on in person dining, bars and indoor rinks.**
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to Governor Whitmer, both Speakers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, along with the Michigan Association of Counties and all Counties within Michigan.
Houghton County Board of Commissioners
To join Zoom meeting:
Click here on County Board Web site and Click on their link.
Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 868 3505 5971
Passcode: 091409
One tap mobile
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Click here for the Jan. 22 meeting agenda.
EDITOR'S NOTES:
* Concerning state grants to assist small businesses, Gov. Whitmer recently announced the Michigan Survival Grant Program:
The State of Michigan has allocated $55 million to implement the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program to support the needs of Michigan businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus and the Gatherings and Mask Order (including restaurants, bars, etc.) The application to apply is now open and will close at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) EST on Friday, January 22, 2021.
To learn more and watch a video to help you apply for a grant visit: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/survival/
** In a recent slide show, Gov. Whitmer announced plans to ease some restaurant restrictions by Feb. 1:
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