Commission Chairman Says Governor’s Re-opening Plan Hurts Local Businesses; He Asks for Support of County Plan
By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter
Levy County Commission Chairman Matt Brooks said Saturday the governor’s re-opening plan will continue to hurt local businesses when it takes effect Monday and he is asking local residents to support the county commission’s phased localized plan instead.
Brooks issued a statement asking residents to email him at district5@levycounty.org by 5 p.m. Monday to express their support for implementing Levy County Commission’s localized re-opening plan.
“Levy County has worked with our local partners to create a phased plan of re-opening that was specific to the needs of Levy County. Unfortunately, with the Governor’s latest order, we are unable to implement our plan as written and it will continue hurting small businesses,” he said.
The county commission’s Phase 1 plan, which was to have taken effect Monday, would have re-opened restaurants, bars and gyms at 50 percent capacity. Barbershops and salons will be allowed to reopen by appointment only and all county parks would be reopened. But the governor’s plan overrides the county plan.
The governor’s plan allows 25 percent occupancy of restaurants and keeps barbershops, salons and bars closed.
“State leadership has heard from a number of our businesses, residents and local elected officials. As Chairman, I feel it is my duty to listen to our people and act in the best interests of our county. Our plan was created by talking to local people and my desire is to implement our plan to help in this great time of need and to do it safely,” Brooks said in his statement.
“Your support is appreciated and may God bless Levy County,” Brooks concluded.
Brooks noted that any emails sent to government employees, elected officials or government offices are a public record under Florida Statute 119.
—————————
Story-based on a press release from Levy County Department of Emergency Management. Posted May 2, 2020
