MANSFIELD — Richland County commissioners made it clear Tuesday morning they want the local economy re-opened sooner rather than later.
But commissioners prefer to keep talking, rather than writing, to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and state lawmakers about plans to restart a state that was shuttered in March due to COVID-19.
On Monday, Ashland County commissioners sent an open letter to DeWine, asking him to allow the county health department and elected officials to make decisions on re-opening that county, based on local assessment of risks.
On Friday, Preble County commissioners went even further, declaring all businesses in the southwest Ohio county were essential and should open. That declaration didn’t last long as the county health department said it had no choice but to follow state mandates during the pandemic.
Richland County Commissioner Marilyn John said Tuesday morning local officials will continue what they have been doing for the last several weeks, including frequent calls to state Sen. Larry Obhof and state Rep. Mark Romanchuk, as well as to DeWine’s office.
Romanchuk wrote his own letter on Monday, expressing a strong desire to get the state’s economy moving again.
“It’s not that we are afraid to write a letter,” John said. “I just don’t know how effective that is. You can write a letter or you can build relationships.”
Commissioner Tony Vero said the majority of calls he has received from local businesses and residents want the governor to quicken the pace of the state’s re-opening efforts.
“We have been working feverishly to communicate our residents’ messages to the governor’s office,” Vero said. “Believe me when I say I am strongly requesting the governor take notice of the wishes of the people in Richland County.”
Commissioner Darrell Banks, who has participated in commissioner meetings via conference call since the pandemic began, said a happy medium needs to be found.
“Why don’t people like myself, who are obese and diabetic and have other health concerns … we can stay home for now, but we need to find a way to get others back to work,” Banks said.
On Friday, DeWine extended his “stay-at-home” order, calling it a “stay safe Ohio” directive as the state’s businesses begin to re-open their doors on a scheduled he outlined earlier in the week.
John said all retail stores can now be open by appointment and that a general re-opening of retail establishments begins Monday.
According to DeWine’s directives, all companies must require their employees to wear face coverings as they re-open and he “strongly recommends” customers do the same.
