NORTHVILLIANS,

First, I want to thank each & every one of you for having Faith, Hope & Love for this community of Northville and for all you have been doing to assist those in our town in this time of need.

In my note this week I will try to address issues I have heard from Northville Citizens, Business Owners & Community Members.  Also included are some high points from my Town Hall meeting last week as well as a Business Community podcast answering many questions (transcripts available).  I write this note on behalf of your Northville TEAM of myself, Pat Sullivan (your City Mgr.) and your City Council of Marilyn Price (Mayor Pro Tem), Barbara Moroski-Browne, Pat Giesa, and Sam Ekong whose top goal is to keep our community of Northville as safe as possible.

The events of the last month since the “stay home-stay safe” quarantine starting in March (Friday the 13^th), continue to be extraordinary as the world moves toward the future … together!  
 
Know… I don't have all the answers and the truth is, no one does right now, but my commitment to you is to be transparent and keep all Northvillians connected & safe.
 Look at all that’s happened in just a few short weeks:

• I ‘m encouraged to see citizens wearing masks, scarfs & bandanas (CDC guidelines) while running essential errands, walking around town and through the city parks… I think everyone appreciates that!
• I urge people to stay home (except for essential shopping trips but encourage people to walk for mental & physical well-being).  Importantly, stay close digitally through your phone, FaceTime, emails and/or text messages with those you know & love in the community. Your diligence and actions are flattening the curve of infection locally.  All the data & models shared with me by the State & County suggest that the Northville community has reached our peak of infection, but hospitalizations and those on respirators will continue to increase.  
• The auto companies & businesses in Northville (like Gentex & others) have been engaged to make ventilators, masks & other needed items.
• With Michigan being declared a disaster area by the federal government, resources have been made available to us including FEMA, the National Guard &  the Army Corp of Engineers.
• Congress has passed a $2.2 Trillion support package for COVID-19, including the (CARES) Act, for our small businesses.  Also, local small business grants & loan programs have been developed by the State & counties with $34 million available. I’ve been involved in task forces for small business and the key is Simplicity & Speed for all… checks should be in the mail this week.
• The TCF Center (Cobo) is up and running as a COVID-19 1000-bed field hospital site for Wayne County.  Further, the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi has also been converted to a 1000- bed capacity hospital (Initially 250 Beds) for Oakland County and will be ready next week … Northville Downs has even offered its facility as a medical support center.
• As you know playground equipment has been sectioned off for your safety... I’ve supported keeping Ford Field, the Mill Race Village and our Dog Park open for walking.
• Additionally, in my opinion, it’s up to us to assist our local Northville Civic Concern activity on 7 Mile & Northville Road.  I’ve been trying to spend some time there lately.… Northville’s Civic Concern has 157 families they support & they help provide over 300 meals daily for our youth.

• The Governor has closed K-12 buildings & colleges and recently called school for the rest of the school year, giving individual school districts leeway to act under the closure. Northville school officials & teachers will be sharing how they are handling education of our students for the rest of the school year, which includes passing out over 350 electronic devices for students who need them for on-line classes (virtual School Board Meetings were held last week to finalize parameters).
• Additionally, Northville Schools have posted shutdowns of their playgrounds, athletic fields & track facilities for your safety.

• Senior Transportation services (medical, grocery shopping, work) have continued.
• Essential Businesses can remain open: Grocery stores, take-out restaurants, pharmacies, gas stations, liquor stores, banks, auto service and pet stores.
• Service by your local Northville Police, Fire, Advanced Life Support Staff & First Responders has continued without any interruption.  We’ll continue to coordinate response efforts and best practices with surrounding communities – we’re working well with our Northville Township partners (Alan Maciag, your Police Chief & Steve Ott, your Fire Chief are doing an outstanding job along with their Teams). I’d like to thank our local Health Care Workers for all they are doing, too.

• I encourage you to support your local businesses in Northville – the survival of many of your favorite businesses is dependent on our patronage now.  Consider buying gift cards – I’m trying to do my part by giving away gift certificates weekly to stimulate people to use local take-out. The strength of our community is our downtown ... our City Center is truly the downtown section for not only Northville but Northville Township, Novi & for a great deal of Livonia…let's support it.
• Remember to reach out & check-in with our seniors, family members, friends & others who are part of your lives.