As the weather warms up and the summer approaches, I understand only too well some of the challenges that we will all face over the coming weeks and months. Even while the impact of Post Tropical Storm Dorian is still being felt, we must now overcome a season where many of our residents will have difficulty coming home, and many of our businesses face a devastating decline. While there is nothing normal about the current situation, and there is no instruction book on how to plan for the summer, it is important that we keep up the pride we have in our community. The Resort Municipality has always been known as a welcoming community and we must maintain that reputation, even if the numbers will be lower this year. I would encourage all businesses and property owners to continue the clean up from the storm and to continue to invest in their properties. If your neighbour is coming home and must self-isolate, please reach out to help with both preparations and care once they arrive. If they can’t make it home, or a nearby business is having financial trouble, please offer to cut some grass or maintain a flowerbed. We must continue to look after each other and look to the future. While there is a bylaw in place for Unsightly Properties, I would prefer an approach where we all work together to improve the appearance of our community this year and heal some of the wounds of the past year. Please help keep our community beautiful, welcoming and prosperous.
Matthew Jelley, Mayor of the Resort Municipality of Cavendish