Wiza: City offices will remain closed
Metro Wire Staff
Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza said despite a May 13 order striking down an extension of the state’s Safer at Home order, city offices will remain closed to the public.
“I just wanted to take a minute to reassure everyone that we are going to stay the course,” Wiza said in a video posted to the city’s website on May 14. “The City of Stevens Point has no immediate plans to change our operations. Our offices will still be closed to the public. We are looking out for the number one priority, which is the safety of our employees and our citizens.”
Wiza said he realizes local businesses can start opening, but he’s strongly encouraging all to “be responsible, to be patient, and think of yourselves, your families, your employees, and your customers when considering how to reopen.”
“The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has some really good guidelines that we’re not going to mandate, but I think you could use those – based on the industry that you have – to find a safe and responsible way to reopen your doors. I’ve talked to many business owners over the last 12 hours and most of them feel the same way. They’re not going to rush to reopen. They want to make sure that they can do it safely for their customers, and their employees, of course.”
The city is working with Portage Co. leadership, Wiza said, adding it will “take our guidance from the county health department. There are certain thresholds that we can meet to ensure that we are doing our reopening in a safe and responsible manner.”
Wiza asked the public to be patient, saying, “I know someday the city offices will be reopened to the public.”