Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa said during the Nov. 18 online city council meeting that the recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases has led to the cancelation of upcoming city holiday events.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
SOUTHGATE – The upsurge in coronavirus cases has necessitated the cancelation of some of the city’s traditional holiday events, Mayor Joseph Kuspa said at the Nov. 18 online city council study session.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to influence all of our lives in so many ways, and with the recent increase in local cases, we are once again limiting access to our municipal building and other city facilities,” Kuspa said.
Kuspa said effective immediately, access to city hall will be on an appointment-only basis, but all departments will be staffed.
“We are merely limiting face-to-face interaction at this time for everyone’s safety,” he said.
Kuspa said the library will be closed to visitors, with online services remaining available, as well as the book dropoff and pickup station.
He said the senior center will suspend bus transportation Nov. 25, through the end of the calendar year, but the center will continue to provide liquid nutrition and surplus food pickup during its regularly scheduled time.
Kuspa said the Department of Public Services, police Department and Fire Department will be closed to visitors, with the police station lobby remaining open for emergencies and record requests.
He said the city’s traditional community events have been both canceled and reformatted.
“Our annual Santa Express train rides at Kiwanis Park have been canceled for this year,” Kuspa said. “The Great Lakes Live Steamers look forward to reopening in the spring.”
He said the Southgate figure skating Christmas Exposition is also canceled, while the tree lighting will still occur, but in virtual mode.
“It will be shown live on our Facebook page, on Dec. 4, starting at 5 p.m.,” he said. “Many of the traditional elements will still be a part of the ceremony, including the Grateful Praise acapella vocal group from Gateway Church of Christ, with words of Christmas inspiration, and, of course, the presentation of the key to our city to our very special guest, Santa Claus.”
Kuspa said the outdoor tree-lighting event will be limited to 25 people, to adhere to the governor’s pandemic guidelines, and thus, urges residents to watch online and not go to the park this year.
“Our official Christmas tree will remain lit until the end of the year for viewing and photos,” he said.
Kuspa said a new “Light Up the Park” event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 11 to 31 at Market Center Park.
“Visitors can walk through Market Center Park, free to the public, and it will feature numerous lighted Christmas displays,” he said. “There will also be a North Pole mailbox, to drop off letters to Santa, until Dec. 24.”
Kuspa said the city’s New Year’s Eve event, for children 14 and younger, will be held virtually as well. The event is free to the public, but will require registration through the city’s recreation department website, southgaterec.com.
“Participants will receive a pickup time to receive a special goodie bag, so that they can participate in the online countdown at noon on Dec. 31,” he said.
Kuspa recognized Parks and Recreation Director Julie Goddard and Downtown Development Authority Director Cassidy Tear for their work in recreating the holiday events to safely occur during the pandemic.
“These are difficult and very challenging times, but the city of Southgate remains dedicated to providing safe holiday options for our residents,” he said.