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County/City announce more openings
City Manager calls for peace
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During the city/county weekly COVID-19 update live-streamed on Facebook Wednesday, Hinesville City Manager Kenneth Howard and County Administrator Joey Brown said they are working on a coordinated effort to reopen certain recreation facilities as early as next Monday.

County and city facilities may reopen by June 15.

Both Howard and Brown said the county and city facilities will only open once they are able to comply with all the required guidelines set forth by Governor Brian’s Kemp latest Executive Order.

The community leaders talked about using controlled traffic flow, limit the number of people allowed into the facilities at one time, increased sanitizing of areas throughout the day, sanitizing stations, non-contact temperature checks and encouraged people who enter the facilities to wear masks. All final plans will be presented to the governing bodies’ respective council and board of commission for final approval this week.

“The same level of services, however, will be rendered…and with a smile,” Howard said.

Howard said the city will be sending out notifications regarding water bills and cut off fees that were suspended since March. Those notifications will be sent out upon approval by Mayor and council.

Brown said effective June 8 the two Liberty County community pools will open at 50 percent capacity. Playgrounds will reopen as well and folks are encouraged to practice proper hygiene before and after use.

Additionally, Brown is set to reopen “open-air areas,” for rental. The park pavilions must be open-air meaning the basketball gyms, Liberty Community Complex building in Midway and the Stafford Pavilion, all enclosed buildings, will remain closed.

To reserve a pavilion, call the Liberty County Recreation Department at 876-5359.

Lastly Brown said they are reviewing plans to open remaining facilities to include day camps and some shortened summer activities.

Brown also reminded everyone that Hurricane season has started saying that the Liberty County Office of Emergency Management is monitoring Tropical Storm Cristobal and prepping for a hurricane season during the COVID pandemic.

Howard thanked the community for helping to curtail the spread of the virus while also offering his condolence to the family of the one reported death in Liberty County from COVID-19.

Howard also mentioned a peaceful protest scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. that is being organized by the United Ministerial Alliance.

“Peaceful protest...peaceful,” Howard said. “As this event unfolds tomorrow, we are asking our community members to be mindful of the fact that it is a peaceful event.”

He encouraged folks to come out together as a community and stand up for their rights but do so responsibly.

On June 2, Brown and the Liberty County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing May 25 as George Floyd Day.

The proclamation encouraged everyone, “In Liberty County and invite all citizens to stand up for justice and equality for all citizens and end the cycle of hatred and inequality in our country.”

The entire proclamation is posted below.

The Peaceful Protest group will meet at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of Planet Fitness and will march to the Justice Center. Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes and Hinesville Police Chief Bill Kirkendall will be at the protest to show solidarity and honor the memory of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breanna Taylor.­­­

 

Proclamation - George Floyd Day
peaceful protest
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