Nearly a week after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine began the process of reopening the state's economy, local county commissioners are calling on him to take more expansive measures.
In a press release on Thursday, Lake County Commissioner Jerry C. Cirino proposed a Special Resolution requesting that Governor DeWine cancel his previous directives and allow all Lake County businesses to begin operating on May 15.
“We care deeply about the health and welfare of our community. As Commissioners, we work on this every day of the year”, Cirino said in a release. “We certainly understand why the Governor took swift action to safeguard the health of Ohioans. However, our hospital has empty beds and the curve has been flattened."
Last week, DeWine announced the first steps toward Ohio reopening its economy amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with businesses such as dentists, veterinarians and office buildings having been permitted to reopen, with retail slated to reopen on May 12. While businesses such as daycare centers, restaurants, salons and gyms remain closed, DeWine is expected to announce plans for their reopening on Thursday afternoon.
In his release, Cirino said that Lake County is experiencing "a severe reduction in revenue and will have to take extraordinary actions in order to continue providing necessary services for the county."
In addition to Cirino, Medina County commissioners sent a letter to DeWine on Wednesday, calling on him to consider reopen all businesses.
"Allowing for some businesses to open, but hindering others, is not helping our economy,” the commissioners wrote. "All business owners, big and small, are struggling during this time with our economy."