Sarah Hall Morinville Councillor

@ virtual AUMA Convention 2020 in Redwater. Quote from our key note this morning: "Federal government has all the money, Provincial ones have all the power and municipalities have all the responsibility." - Peter Mansbridge

We are all tired of COVID-19 and its impact on each of us and our community. Tired of the separation from family and friends, cancelled vacations, postponed we...ddings, missed or deferred celebrations of life for those that have passed, uncertain employment, cancellation of events and the constant barrage of COVID-19 information...and it's not going away soon. With 6 confirmed cases as of today, Morinville is at 52.9 cases per 100,000 people, slightly above the Government of Alberta’s threshold of 50 cases. Tomorrow (August 25), Council will be discussing mandatory masks. While some communities across the province have implemented mandatory mask bylaws, others are monitoring the number of active cases closely, and may choose to do the same if things change. Council has a few options available. From taking no action (but monitoring the number of active cases closely), to advocating to the Government of Alberta for a decision on if/when masks should be mandatory, to directing staff to draft a bylaw for future consideration. Whatever the path, Council has and will continue to, listen to your concerns and make the best decision we can. So continue to contact Council to share your views. And please respect each other's views and treat each other as we would expect to be treated, bylaw or no bylaw. We are all just doing our best to get through this - let's keep doing this together. I am proud of how our community has done in the face of this pandemic. With our community close to the Watch threshold, I know we will do what is needed to keep each other safe. We have done it up to now, and together we can keep up the fight! I know that we will respond to this new challenge by doing what we must - self isolate if required, maintain physical distance, wash your hands often and wear a mask when distance cannot be maintained. If we all do what we can to keep ourselves safe we will keep our community safe. I believe in us, and I know you all do too!

Some hard decisions are having to be made and I am so grateful for the dedication and hard work from all of our town staff

During this unprecedented time, if you’re able, your generosity to the Morinville Foodbank is greatly appreciated. At this time they’re in need of canned meats..., hamburger helper, canned soup and jam as well as monetary donations to purchase fresh produce and meat. To arrange a drop off time please call 780-939-2636. #ourmorinville www.morinville.ca/covid19

Today, Morinville Town Council voted to approve the Property Tax and Utility Payment Deferral Program. This program defers the property tax penalty deadline and allows for a deferral on all municipal utility bills to August 31, 2020. Complete details at www.morinville.ca/covid19