Residents of the city of Syracuse will start to see more signs of society reopening. But Mayor Ben Walsh is still preaching a large dose of caution.
He called it ‘a good day’ when Governor Cuomo gave the region the OK to reopen portions of the economy.
Walsh says it’s critically important to get people back to work, though not in a careless fashion.
“We know we have a health crisis here, but we have an economic crisis. We have people hurting. We want to get people back to work but it has to be done safely. If you as a business owner are not ready to reopen, even if the government says you can, please open when you’re ready. Open when it’s safe.”
The city itself will also show signs of reopening. Municipal tennis courts and golf courses will no longer be off limits. The Parks Department urges social distancing guidelines with specific rules in place.
GOLF COURSE GUIDELINES
- To prevent congregating, please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled tee time.
- Social distancing of six (6) feet apart is required for all golfers not from the same household. A mask must be worn when social distances are not able to be maintained.
- The clubhouses will not be open to the public. A designated area of the clubhouse will be accessible for payments. Waiting lines with distancing marks will be posted.
- Pushcarts and golf club rentals will not be available.
- Concessions will not be available for purchase
TENNIS COURT GUIDELINES
- Play with members of your own household whenever possible.
- Keep six (6) feet apart from other players and park users. A mask must be worn when social distances are not able to be maintained.
- Wash/sanitize hands before and after playing tennis.
- Avoid touching court gates, fences and benches.
- Do not share equipment with other players. Sanitize equipment after play.
- Do not use the courts if you are feeling ill.
Walsh also pointed to road construction projects along South Salina Street that are progressing.
WALSH UPDATE MET WITH PROTESTS
About two dozen protestors outside City Hall … equated any limits on businesses or public gatherings with a breach of freedoms.
“Freedom to decide when you can leave your house,’ chanted on protestor. “Freedom to choose if you have to wear a mask.”
Walsh says he believes protesting is their free speech right, but he worries about their health, and how much they’re risking nurses and other front-line workers by flouting social distancing.
Councilor Chol Majok joined to Walsh in the briefing and singled out New Americans to stay safe.
“Mayor, to be honest with you, I’m sick of staying inside. But it’s the right thing to do. Especially to my New American families, who really like to play soccer, I think it’s important that we hold off until all of this has cleared out.”
NEW YORK PAUSE LOWERS INCIDENCE OF SOME CRIMES
Syracuse Police statistics show crime continues to trend downward. Violent crimes are down 13% over the same period last year; homicide and rape down significantly; only burglary and stolen vehicle crimes are up. Officials say in the past week there were 11 new complaints to police about businesses not obeying health restrictions, making a total of 74 since the shutdown. Overall, 518 calls have come in to complain about groups of people or establishments not observing social distancing orders. Police continue to respond to such calls, but use a strategy of educating and informing, rather than arrests or fines.
And … City hall continues to push for more aid from Washington, while relief is held up by politics.
“Every day that goes by without the federal government providing relief to local governments, the stakes get higher," Walsh said. "The city faces enormous revenue risks on sales taxes and other revneus. … Congressman (John) Katko informed me he was voting ‘No’ on (Heroes Act Relief Bill).”
Walsh added, he told Katko he understands that politics is getting in the way. But he says every day of delay, things get more dire for city services and essential workers.
