By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On April 30, Village of Cazenovia Mayor Kurt Wheeler provided another update on the community’s COVID-19 response efforts.
The village is initiating a local “Restart Cazenovia” committee with representatives from the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce, Cazenovia Area Community Development Association, Cazenovia College, and local businesses.
The goal of the group, according to Wheeler, is to proactively plan ways to support the local business community and re-energize the local economy as COVID-19 restrictions begin to be lifted.
“More details will be forthcoming, but a core principle is that we have to buy local to support our neighbors’ livelihoods whenever we can,” Wheeler said. “It is very easy to click that ‘add to my cart’ button online, but that retailer is not paying local taxes or helping local causes like our area businesses do. Shop here in the Cazenovia area whenever you can.”
Wheeler encouraged local households to consider donating a portion of their economic stimulus checks to organizations serving those in need such as CazCares, The Mustard Seed and CRIS, for example, or making purchases at local shops or restaurants.
“[The checks] are a much-needed boost for some of our residents who have lost jobs or faced unexpected expenses,” Wheeler said. “For others who have been fortunate to remain employed and financially stable, these payments are an opportunity to ‘pay it forward.’”
Wheeler also reported that the village parks are open for community use and enjoyment.
Residents are asked to bring masks, practice social distancing, and wash their hands as soon as they return from any trip outside the home.
“We are fortunate to have many local parks, trails and green spaces where families can get outside as the weather begins to improve.” Wheeler said. “ . . . It is vital that we stay vigilant as we do so, however. We have been extremely fortunate here in Cazenovia as we have not had a new case diagnosed since March 4 and we have only one active case in our entire area. Other parts of the county have seen sharp upticks in the past week according to the County DOH website. We have to maintain our good habits . . . Thank you for your continued efforts to keep Cazenovia Covid-free.”
To prevent spread of the coronavirus, the village offices are closed to the public. Staff will be on duty to respond to citizens’ needs during regular business hours. Call 315-655-3041 or email [email protected] (cc: [email protected]).
