Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Chatham Area Transit says it "will no longer be providing shuttle services to downtown on St. Patrick’s Day as a result of the decision to cancel the parade and to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)."
However, CAT will provide free rides on Saturday, March 14 & Tuesday, March 17.
"The transit agency will not provide special shuttle services to downtown on St. Patrick’s Day as a result of the decision to cancel the parade and to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) but CAT will now operate its buses, CAT mobility vans, and water ferry on the regular weekday schedule on St. Patrick’s Day," a spokesperson says.
"Regular service routes and schedules also will be in place through the weekend, March 13-15, following the cancellation of the Festival of St. Patrick.
However, CAT will provide free rides on Saturday, March 14 & Tuesday, March 17.
"The transit agency will not provide special shuttle services to downtown on St. Patrick’s Day as a result of the decision to cancel the parade and to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) but CAT will now operate its buses, CAT mobility vans, and water ferry on the regular weekday schedule on St. Patrick’s Day," a spokesperson says.
"Regular service routes and schedules also will be in place through the weekend, March 13-15, following the cancellation of the Festival of St. Patrick.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
In a brief meeting today, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and local health and public safety officials made an effort to assure the public that the local St. Patrick's Day festivities are unlikely to be severely impacted by the spreading coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
"Currently there is no evidence that COVID-19 is spreading in our community," said Robert Thornton of the local chapter of the Georgia Department of Public Health. "If you're sick, we're asking you stay home."
The City's Susan Broker said the event is "full speed ahead."
"This is a very serious health concern but sometimes the fear is often worse than that," Mayor Johnson said. "I've lived during a time when SARS was going to kill everybody, Mad Cow disease, Ebola. The resilience of the human spirit is bigger than that."
Visit Savannah President Joe Marinelli said local hotel occupancy is still robust, and that "unless headlines change dramatically" no major change is expected.
Officials with both the City and Savannah's Waterfront say hand-washing/sanitizing stations will be added throughout the festival area.
A representative of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee says "kissing of the soldiers" is strongly discouraged, referring to a long local tradition of people running up to soldiers and other uniformed personnel marching in the parade to leave lipstick on their cheeks.
That practice has been discouraged by the U.S. Army and by parade officials for several years now regardless.
Mayor Johnson said he will check in with the Department of Public Health for updates at least twice a day until the festival. "As you know the situation is touch-and-go at this point."
The Mayor advised citizens to "bring your hand sanitizer... and don't kiss people you don't know."
"Currently there is no evidence that COVID-19 is spreading in our community," said Robert Thornton of the local chapter of the Georgia Department of Public Health. "If you're sick, we're asking you stay home."
The City's Susan Broker said the event is "full speed ahead."
"This is a very serious health concern but sometimes the fear is often worse than that," Mayor Johnson said. "I've lived during a time when SARS was going to kill everybody, Mad Cow disease, Ebola. The resilience of the human spirit is bigger than that."
Visit Savannah President Joe Marinelli said local hotel occupancy is still robust, and that "unless headlines change dramatically" no major change is expected.
Officials with both the City and Savannah's Waterfront say hand-washing/sanitizing stations will be added throughout the festival area.
A representative of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee says "kissing of the soldiers" is strongly discouraged, referring to a long local tradition of people running up to soldiers and other uniformed personnel marching in the parade to leave lipstick on their cheeks.
That practice has been discouraged by the U.S. Army and by parade officials for several years now regardless.
Mayor Johnson said he will check in with the Department of Public Health for updates at least twice a day until the festival. "As you know the situation is touch-and-go at this point."
The Mayor advised citizens to "bring your hand sanitizer... and don't kiss people you don't know."
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) has announced the results of its search for a new permanent President & CEO.
"After careful deliberation, the search committee, together with the board of trustees, unanimously determined that Interim Executive Director, Sue Adler should be appointed to lead the 65-year- old non-profit organization," the HSF announces this morning.
Formerly HSF’s Chief Mission Officer, Adler has worked as Interim Executive Director of the organization since the Summer of 2019 after the departure of Daniel Carey.
"She has many professional accomplishments in the local community including establishing Savannah’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and fighting for Savannah’s tiniest citizens as Executive Director of the Savannah Chapter of the March of Dimes. Adler also directed community outreach events for Savannah’s Memorial Hospital, launching unique programs for the community," HSF says.
“Like all good leaders, Sue is committed to developing her team and working closely with the board of trustees to lead Historic Savannah Foundation into the future. Sue is the right person to bring the community together at this critical time for Savannah as it experiences unprecedented growth,” said Josh Brooks, Chair of the Board of Trustees of HSF.
"After careful deliberation, the search committee, together with the board of trustees, unanimously determined that Interim Executive Director, Sue Adler should be appointed to lead the 65-year- old non-profit organization," the HSF announces this morning.
Formerly HSF’s Chief Mission Officer, Adler has worked as Interim Executive Director of the organization since the Summer of 2019 after the departure of Daniel Carey.
"She has many professional accomplishments in the local community including establishing Savannah’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and fighting for Savannah’s tiniest citizens as Executive Director of the Savannah Chapter of the March of Dimes. Adler also directed community outreach events for Savannah’s Memorial Hospital, launching unique programs for the community," HSF says.
“Like all good leaders, Sue is committed to developing her team and working closely with the board of trustees to lead Historic Savannah Foundation into the future. Sue is the right person to bring the community together at this critical time for Savannah as it experiences unprecedented growth,” said Josh Brooks, Chair of the Board of Trustees of HSF.
