Mayor’s Message – April 1, 2020

Dear Residents,

I am committed to providing a weekly update during this pandemic with items that pertain to our Village. I know all of our lives have been altered. We took many things for granted that we now consider a luxury such as meeting friends for dinner and getting together with family on holidays and special occasions.

I recently celebrated my birthday, and for the first time it was without my daughters, granddaughters and sons-in-law. I see lines constantly at the banks drive-up and walk-up windows. Onsite church services are cancelled, and we are attending services via streaming or watching on TV.  Life is different; but we are still thankful we have access to food; and the supply chain, which provides necessities, is still intact.

Our utilities are still operating, and we have heat, lights and water. I so respect all the employees that continue to work every day to ensure we are supplied with basic needs. I applaud your dedication and courage. I am not trying to minimize the situation, but we still can conduct life with dignity.

This being said, I can’t emphasize enough how critical it is to follow the guidelines to help minimize the impact on our area. I am constantly receiving communications from citizens concerned with people they feel are violating safe-behavior guidelines.

We all need to realize our behavior not only impacts us, but potentially, with the contagiousness of this virus, the lives of all with whom we come into contact. We absolutely must adhere to social distancing, practice good hand hygiene, and not congregate in large groups.

Out of respect for our neighbors and to minimize the impact in our area, we must take personal responsibility. If we don’t, I can assure you our quality of life will decline. Let’s work together to make the absolute best of this terrible situation.

God bless America,
Your Mayor,
Ben Garlich

Click here for the updated letter from the Geauga County Health Commissioner, Thomas Quade