When will in-person council meetings resume? Tecumseh town hall reopens part-time
The Town of Tecumseh has reopened its town hall, recreation complex and arena for limited services on a part-time basis for the next two weeks.
It will still be nearly two months before any in-person council meetings could be considered.
“It is a gradual approach, recognizing that we’re still in Step 3,” says Chief Administrative Officer Margaret Misek-Evans.
Evans says afternoon only hours will last through August 13, with plans to return to regular business hours on August 16.
She says individuals seeking to attend town hall or the arena in-person must complete the screening form prior to being allowed entry. Masks will be required for all visitors in the buildings and appointments are required for specific services, so it is best to call ahead.
“We want to make sure that all of our systems and checks are in place to protect both the public and our staff,” Evans says.
“I think we’re still hearing a lot of information about a potential fourth wave and being very vaccination-dependant, so we have to monitor that and see when it’s safe to have a return to public participation in the audience.”
“We are very pleased to resume in-person services and welcome visitors to our newly renovated Town Hall,” said Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh. “I thank residents for their patience and understanding while the buildings were closed to the public.”
McNamara tells CTV News Windsor a staff report on resuming in-person council meetings is expected in September, with the possibility of elected officials and administration returning to council chambers by October.
“That’s really the beginning of it,” McNamara says. “It really depends on the public health measures and the numbers continuing to be reduced.”
McNamara adds the customer service capabilities in the renovated town hall are “huge” in comparison to the former town hall, but notes staff and community safety take precedence.
“Seeing bored faces on a screen isn’t quite the same as seeing bored faces in person.”
University of Windsor political science professor Lydia Miljan believes a return to in-person council meetings should happen -- and the sooner, the better.
“Given our high vaccination rates, the news that I see is that the only people who are getting hospitalized are those who haven’t been vaccinated.”
Miljan says in-person council meetings symbolically demonstrate to communities that there’s a way forward but also tangibly shows it can be done safely, with accountability.
“We can’t have it both ways,” Miljan explains. “You can’t tell the public get vaccinated and then say, 'Oh now that your vaccinated, we’re going to have all these restrictions perpetually.' I think that sends a bad message.”
Miljan adds in-person accountability is important for democracy, “A free country has to be open and it has to be face-to-face.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winning $70 million Lotto Max ticket sold in Toronto
A winning Lotto Max ticket was sold in Toronto from last nights draw.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Moscow says 50 Ukrainian drones shot down as attacks spark fires at Russian power stations
Ukraine launched a barrage of drones across Russia overnight, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said Saturday, in attacks that appeared to target the country's energy infrastructure.
A Nigerian chess champion plays the royal game for 60 hours - a new global chess record
A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate played chess nonstop for 60 hours in New York City's Times Square to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.