Some Danville City Council members expressed their frustration tonight at Governor J.B. Pritzker’s timeline for reopening the state. Alderman Steve Foster claims the timeline is political….
{”We have a tragedy, and the tragedy is not going to be how bad that we know it is until we go out after the tornado and take a look at the wreckage. And the longer this goes in days – not weeks or months – the worse shape that we – and cities like Danville – are going to be.}
Alderman Aaron Troglia also voiced concerns about the delay in getting businesses reopened…
{”When you can go 15 minutes across the border to Indiana – and they are already opening up bars and restaurants, which isn’t going to be for over a month for us – that just doesn’t make any sense at all.”
But Vice Mayor Bob Iverson is worried about what could happen if things are allowed to reopen too soon….
{”I take care of my grandson every day. Those are the people that we have to be worried about, the future group. And I know the businesses are dying, but your personal rights only extend as far as my nose. And that’s the other thing we have to concern ourselves about is – do we risk others inadvertently by going out too soon?”}
Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. says his personal thoughts are that he believes businesses would follow guidelines for reopening if they were allowed to do so….
{”I don’t agree with all of the government, all of the guidelines myself either. As I discussed with you, and as I would say to the public again the problem is that we as a city technically don’t have any authority over the situation in terms of whether or not we reopen. The thing I would hate more than anything else is to advise people to reopen only to have them shutdown by either the health department or one of the state entities that regulates their business.”}
The Mayor also said there have been no requests this year for fireworks permits. So he says he may be coming back to the city council with a request that the city hold a fireworks display this year.
And Mayor Williams adds the city plans to start having municipal band concerts on June 28th. Doc Ashton and the Root Canals will kick-off those concerts, and then every Sunday in July the Municipal Band will perform. Doc Ashton and the Root Canals will also be donating some concerts for the city during the month of August.
