2021 will be the most critical year to get our lives, businesses and community back to a more social and productive atmosphere. One that we always treasured as our "HOME".
Let's review what has happened and what we have done........
Thanks to your support, participation and outreach we were able to add several pop-up parks equipment was being isolated otherwise. This allowed our citizens and businesses safer options and a much-needed outdoor social setting. We will continue and improve this process until we return to normal. Like other changes there may be some great permanent changes for outdoor dining!
To assist local businesses, you may have noticed that we waived exterior signage policies. While not attractive they are very much needed and helpful to promote businesses at this time. This will remain in effect until normalcy is returned.
Temporary outdoor carry-out for restaurants, child's care, drug stores and supermarkets will be maintained as needed but going forward we see an increased need to include these for handicapped and seniors. Like most negative issues, lessons can be learned and improve our future.
The Class of 2021 has been through as many historic changes as the class of 2020. They will also receive the unique town support of parades to each community and acknowledge each student publicly. An opportunity that no other classes had experienced. Once again, we are learning and improving in negative situations.
Addressing our Senior Citizens, often noted as my favorite, we began several outreach programs and information sharing to assist them during this critical time. This included special parades in their areas using volunteer groups to call and check in, special door to door flyers, a staff member to update state, local and retail opportunities to benefit and update and for the first time, Mayor's forums were advertised and conducted in their neighborhoods to help relieve their otherwise safe isolation. Once again, this may be a permanent change.
Ahead of other communities, we opened up public spaces for yoga, fitness groups, martial arts, dance, music lessons, MAMSA events, boy scout meetings and many other volunteer group events, etc. that would have not taken place otherwise.
Mount Airy established one of the first COVID-19 19 Emergency Teams to regularly address the many issues that were impacting our community. This group included other elected town council members, police chief, fire department representative, town hall staff members and other community volunteers. This helped us review, update, address and prepare the community for many issues as they changed. A similar program was established by our staff members to assist local businesses and thanks to the Mount Airy town council and our Economic Development Commission that helped with several grant and loan programs.
Another change was converting the blighted bank building on Main Street that had been an eye sore for over 20 years into a beautiful, safe and needed outdoor facility that featured palm trees, a water fountain, fire pits, seasonal decorations, plenty of outdoor parking and artwork in an environment to hold meetings and gatherings that COVID 19 greatly reduced. Most all of this was done by you, the community and local businesses through volunteer and donations.
To increase our community pride, we play live music on Main Street every day to encourage the safer outdoor environment and we play our national anthem every Friday. Another potential permanent change that improves our community.
Many may remember one of me and Meatball’s (our Town Mascot) favorite new activities was our Storytime series. Joined by others it helped address a needed time for our youth otherwise locked indoors. These stories took them on several trips.
Last but not least, we helped save the last remaining local newspaper in Mount Airy, The Messenger! It was due to close in December 2020. Did that happen? Heck No!! We worked together with them not to donate funds but to increase town information sharing such as monthly mayor reports and new official reports on town parks, water /sanitation, recycling and other town commissions. The town will focus, through the messenger, COVID 19 updates and community improvements. While online social media may be a great source it leaves out many seniors who don't access it so helping the Messenger as an independent source of town information was critical. Once again, the increase of town info sharing going forward will be an improvement for everyone.
As this report notes, although this has been the most challenging time ever in many areas, we have also learned about many opportunities that will greatly improve our communities’ future.
It is an honor to serve and work with so many in our great community, your amazing Town Staff and our Town Council Leadership to get through and now continue to get through these extreme times. An entry thanks to our medical professionals, and first responders as they stayed on the front lines.
Please feel free to reach out to me @ prockinberg@gmail.com and as President John F. Kennedy noted many years ago." Please don't ask what your country can do for you, ask want you can do for your country" In our case the great Town of Mount Airy'.
Together we continue to address future changes, needs and yes improvements learned and noted to rebuild and return to a more improved community environment we all treasure!!
Mayor Patrick Rockinberg
Town of Mount Airy