The last week has been another whirlwind. On Monday, Council formally requested that Admin propose a framework for our recovery plan, so expect more information at our April 20 meeting.
St. Albert Town Hall
Mayor Heron, CAO Scoble, and Emergency Operations Centre Command Chief Jenke hosted a virtual “town hall” where residents were invited to ask questions during the live event. The recording is available online:
How to help
I received another message from a community member about opportunities to help others during this challenging time, and Mayor Heron also addressed this during the town hall - This desire to support our community is one of the reasons I love St. Albert so much! The biggest help is by following the provincial Health Orders, especially by staying home and self-isolating if you have any symptoms of illness. But there are a few other opportunities available:
1. If you're able, support local businesses. There is a long list of Edmonton-ares businesses available here: https://edmonton.thingsthatareopen.com/ and a growing list of St. Albert businesses listed here: https://stalbert.thingsthatareopen.com/business-directory/ You can also follow St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce for up-to-date local information.
2. Consider supporting Stop Abuse in Families Society or St. Albert Food Bank. As you can imagine, these services are more important than ever.
3. Consider volunteer opportunities posted here: https://www.volunteerconnector.org Current opportunities include requests from many organizations for knitters, drivers, kitchen helpers, cleaners, etc. (CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories, Edmonton Meals on Wheels, North Edmonton Seniors Association, The Mustard Seed, Drive Happiness have current postings.)
As always, continue reaching out to family and friends who may be in need of (virtual) company, and make your health a priority. If you are struggling, City of St. Albert has a list of local resources: https://stalbert.ca/ci…/eps/preparedness/resources/wellness/
Special Council Meeting
Mayor Heron has called a Special Council Meeting to consider possible changes to our transit service in an effort to reduce costs. We have seen a sharp decline in ridership over the last few weeks, and we want to find a balance between providing this essential service and maximizing the value/utility of our routes. This meeting will be available to watch online.
