Kipling Mayor looks back on 2020, ahead to 2021

[ASFN Admin]

The unknown nature of the pandemic has led to a lot of uncertainty for municipalities during the pandemic and Kipling Mayor Pat Jackson wishes there was more communication from governments as many changes came about due to Covid-19 in 2020. “It’s been unusual and sometimes a little frustrating because we often didn’t know what changes were coming until they actually came,” Jackson said. “Municipalities are another level of government and we weren’t given a heads-up on anything. We were reacting instead of being proactive and that’s not the way things operate. There’s been plenty of moments of stress, but early in the year the council made the decision that we weren’t stopping, but slowing down on a couple of projects just in case so we wouldn’t get ourselves into any kind of financial tightness. It’s worked out in the long run much better than we feared so we’re looking at starting some of the things that had been put on hold. We’ve also been blessed beyond words that we’ve only had two cases in town and neither ended up with any transmission. That’s awesome because we do have a lot of seniors in the community and people have been very thoughtful and considerate about taking all the precautions.” Although the year has been full of negatives, Jackson has been so happy to see people stepping up to help one another and doing everything they need to keep each other safe. “The community has been amazing and doing what they have to do to the point that all of our essential businesses have been doubling their efforts,” she said. “People volunteered all over the place to help out the people who did not feel they could be out to get groceries or food for them. It’s been a lot of things like that to make sure people had what they needed. My husband and I were checking up neighbours and making sure they’re okay just by giving them a call—we were one household of many doing that. It’s a small town and that’s what makes it awesome. The other night we had a tree lighting in the park and we did a food collection and within 10 minutes the van we were collecting it in was already full. That’s people in the community reaching out knowing there are others in need and making sure the food bank has lots to help.” Jackson is hopeful that if people continue to follow the health and safety protocols as the pandemic continues, by this time next year families will be able to spend the holidays together. “2020 was different, but I also think it has brought out the very best in people and in community,” she said. “For example we had a contest with Christmas decorations and we expected 30 to 40 families would vote and there were over 100! People are not happy about having to be in constantly or only having their immediate household for Christmas, but there are also a number of families volunteering to help take meals to those in need this Christmas. Christmas is happening and it’s still going to be good and we’re look forward to next year and hoping we can be together. 2021 is going to have some issues too, but there’s a lot of hope.”Rob Paul, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The World-Spectator

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