Orange Park sets aside $10,000 to help needy during crisis
Money will help families, organizations affected by COVID-19
ORANGE PARK -- The town council voted unanimously to set aside $10,000 of its funds to be used in the town to help those in need.
Council member Roland Mastandrea introduced the idea of using town …
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Orange Park sets aside $10,000 to help needy during crisis
Money will help families, organizations affected by COVID-19
ORANGE PARK -- The town council voted unanimously to set aside $10,000 of its funds to be used in the town to help those in need.
Mayor Connie Thomas introduced the idea of using town funds to help the community, and the council was in favor of doing so. How, exactly, is unclear, but the vote gave the town manager look into different ways the money can be used.
“I was proposing that we set aside an amount that you guys thought would be appropriate and then [town manager Sarah Cambpell] can research what would be the best avenue for that,” Mayor Connie Thomas said. “I want to make sure people are fed during this time.”
Thomas originally proposed $20,000 but after talking with the council, the council agreed that $10,000 would be a good starting point, as suggested by council member Randy Anderson. Should that $10,000 work successfully, the council said they could talk about setting aside additional funds to help Orange Park and Clay County needy organizations.
Campbell will look into different ways this money could be used. It could go to county-wide operations, town organizations or a mix of the two. Thomas said it’s important that the town find a way to use the money to help as many people as possible. This money will likely go to charitable organizations that are nonprofit and work to feed families.
In other business, the Town of Orange Park remains fully operational, in terms of town staff. Campbell said the town has transitioned to work-from-home following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent stay-at-home order. The four firefighters in isolation after coming into contact with someone that tested positive for coronavirus have tested negative and haven’t shown any signs of the coronavirus-like symptoms during their isolation.
“They have now returned to work so police and fire are fully staffed,” Campbell said. “We still have a reserve unit in the police should anybody get sick. We have a backup squad that can come in and take over. [Fire Chief Alvin Barker] wanted me to pass along that they are transporting Covid patients on a daily basis so it is definitely prevalent in our community and our first responders are dealing with this on a regular basis.”
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