It goes without saying that all of us find ourselves in uncertain times. Our friends, neighbors, and fellow residents do not know when life will return to normal. It is in these times that I wanted to offer you some comfort in the things that we know are certain and constant regarding your City government.
With absolute certainty, I can assure you that the City of Oak Creek is protected by the very best public safety employees. Our Health Department staff, firefighters, and police officers, and the leadership team in our City, are working the long hours necessary to protect you. Our City is as prepared as any when it comes to battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of their dedication and sacrifice we will pull through these trying times and return to everyday life. I cannot thank our employees enough; I see their professionalism and commitment to public service every day, but especially so the past several weeks, which I am certain will continue in the weeks that lay ahead.
Your City elected leadership also remains a constant force at your service. Myself, and the other six Common Council members are doing whatever is in our power to give City employees the resources and professional latitude they need to respond to COVID-19. Local government is and always will be the closest to the people.
Vital City services will continue to be available to you throughout this pandemic. As mentioned, the Health, Police, and Fire Departments will remain fully operational. The City’s water and sewer utility services will remain operational. Note: COVID-19 has not proven to be a threat to any public water supply, so please remain confident you can continue to use your tap water. On another note, the City contracts for refuse and recycling collection, and as of the time of this writing, our contractor is committed to continuing to pick-up on your regular collection schedule. I point out these two services, water/sewer and refuse collection, because many of our residents are asking about them.
Certain, non-vital City services will be necessarily curtailed to protect the general public and our City workforce. Yes, it may be difficult to do things like getting a permit for a new deck you wanted to build this spring. We’ve closed the library and canceled recreation programming, among other things. This allows us to focus on our public safety response, and we ask for your understanding of these necessary actions.
As residents, as neighbors, and as parents, you also have a role to play to pull our community through. I urgently ask all of you to continue following all public health guidelines. It sounds like a broken record, but keeping yourself and your loved ones home, and only traveling to get essential services and supplies, is our best chance at returning to normalcy in the quickest time possible. Be sure to continue practicing good hygiene and maintaining your social distance.
Perhaps most importantly, I ask that you all stay calm! Look after your neighbors, especially those living alone, or who may be elderly and not able to get essentials like food or medication. This time will pass, and life will resume, but now is the time to keep our heads down and keep pressing forward together as a community. Together, we’ve got this!
Mayor Dan
P.S. Visit the City's website for the most up-to-date information about your City services.
