This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
To The Residents of Longmont:
This is an emotional and uncertain time for all of us.
As your City Council, we want to provide strong affirmation that Longmont leadership is taking this crisis very seriously. Longmont has been aggressively planning for and handling our coronavirus response. We are in full support of the Governor’s Stay at Home Order and are actively encouraging our residents’ complete compliance.
There are many moving pieces in this situation and, like everyone, we are dealing with the immediate and imperative call to protect the health of our community while also looking to the future to ensure an economic recovery for both businesses and individuals.
We have a deep respect for our healthcare workers, those working in our grocery stores, public safety staff, and everyone on the front lines providing critical services to our community. We are especially concerned about our vulnerable populations and those in high-risk categories and about ensuring we keep those on the front lines healthy so they can continue serving.
As a City Council and organization, based on the scientific evidence we have been presented, we understand the devastation that this virus can cause if not handled correctly. We also urge everyone in the community to follow the orders and guidance issued by the Governor, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Boulder County Public Health. This situation requires that every member of our community be part of the solution. Our individual actions will have an impact on how quickly we will recover as a city, a state, and a nation.
The actions the City of Longmont has taken clearly demonstrate our commitment to following the advice of experts to protect our community, including:
- The early launch of the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
- Adopting work-from-home policies for City staff ahead of any state requirements
- Comprehensive partnerships and coordinated actions with the City of Boulder, Boulder County,and Boulder County Public Heath
- Creating the COVID-19 Recovery Center for individuals experiencing homelessness and support of other shelters
- Providing childcare for critical personnel
- Creating resources for Spanish-speaking residents and a network of cultural brokers to help disperse important information and allay fears
- Providing assistance with housing, including mediation with landlords and tenants, and education about evictions
- Partnership with local hospitals to plan for surge activity, additional recovery locations, and continued excellence in healthcare
- Strong partnerships with the Longmont Downtown Development Authority, the Longmont Economic Development Partnership, and the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce to support businesses and our community’s economic vitality through the crisis and beyond
- Developing an Economic Recovery Center, which will launch as we enter the next phase of fighting this crisis and will provide grant money and assistance with applying for loans for both individuals and businesses
Your City Council fully recognizes the severity of COVID-19 and is putting the full force of the City behind addressing this crisis. This is a public health emergency and is not something we take lightly.
As we look ahead, we are bringing our diverse perspectives together to comprehensively attack both the public health and economic hardships the coronavirus is threatening. We all agree that we are stronger together and that our community’s health and wellbeing are the highest priorities.
The City organization created a tagline several years ago that states, “As One, Together, We Lead.” While that was focused on how we work internally, we urge everyone in Longmont to consider adopting it. We each have our individual responsibilities, together we will make a difference, and we will be leaders in showing the resilience of a community working together.
Yours,
The Longmont City Council and Staff
