From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat addressed the city through a video message on Monday, April 27, 2020. He spoke about the census and about the possibility of reopening the local economy.
Choat encouraged citizens to complete Census 2020. The city is currently at over 70% response rate. Although that is more than the state average, it is less than the city of Trussville usually has, according to Choat.
“It’s so important because these are federal dollars that we all depend on and it could affect a representative in Congress,” said Choat. “So, let’s all do our part.”
In reference to the coronavirus, Mayor Choat said he hopes to open the city next week, the first week of May.
“This would include our library, our civic center, our parks, and things like that,” said Choat. “Our Senior Center, I’m not ready to open that yet, but I’m going to watch that moving forward.”
Choat said department heads are already making preliminary plans to open facilities. Choat said reopening will depend on whether state officials give local governments the authority to do so.
“Everyone has been put in a very awkward situation but we have all done what we can and I think now it’s up to us,” said Choat. “We have had almost two weeks of training on how to do this.”
The mayor said he believes the citizens and business owners in Trussville will be cautious when opening doors.
“I think we are all going to be aware of what we need to do and I think our businesses are, too,” Choat said.
Choat encouraged citizens to shop in Trussville when possible.
“We’re a community that stays together and that’s what we’re going to do at this time,” he said.
The entire video, by Film Dog Media, can be viewed below.