Since Mike Handler “resigned” there has been scant information easily accessible for the citizens of New Canaan.
The town website has not been updated with the state data of approximately seven new cases since July 1st and our last call out was on July 1, so other than getting information from my town, I am relying on Lucy Dathan’s information that puts new New Canaan new cases since Friday at 7. That kind of jump was worthy of a call out to our town so that people can make choices about where they are willing to go and not go. Our first selectman has been emailed by numerous community members, but seems not to answer emails, many of them begging for Mike’s return or at least more frequent call outs.
We are in a global pandemic that has not stopped. To see people walking around town without masks is abhorrent, and scary. For the first selectman not to have more than weekly updates, with reminders to social distance, wear a mask and wash hands, in addition to a spike in cases is also abhorrent. We had such a good OEM for years with Mike Handler now we have nothing. This is gross negligence on the part of the town. Without proper and timely information (not found on the town’s website as of Tuesday evening at 11:10 p.m.) I find the town in dereliction of it’s duty to health and safety of the community.
Possible solutions:
1) Reinstate Mike Handler
2) Re-activate OEM and appoint someone (not a Kevin Moynihan appointee) in the community that has similar traits as Mike Handler that will keep the town well informed.
3) Increase the frequency of call outs to 2-3 times a week with special calls to report spikes in our community.
4) during the more frequent calls out reminders to social distance, wear a mask, and wash hands.. Limiting party sizes and all the other best practices that are suggested by the CDC, NIH and governor’s office.
5) Updated website information that is not 5-6 days old. (Don’t care if it is a holiday weekend, COVID-19 doesn’t care) if the OEM was actually activated, we would have had updates.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to some of these suggestions being implemented as soon as possible.
Respectfully,
Sara Lou Wolter
Sara
I believe the Fire Chief was named to the position when Mike Handler resigned.
Haven’t heard from him, so only reasonable conclusion is that the First Selectman assumed some or all of Mike Handler’s communication responsibilities.
As to your other points, it is all about communication, regardless of the person doing it.
And, the quality and quantity of communications of late is not adequate.
I am personally shocked & embarrassed in my hometown that people in authority elected officials are so complacent. Sara, eloquently stated to the point factually accurate information. Communication derelict of duty on town’s part not to keep us informed regularly especially during the pandemic. Crucial for our well being. Moynihan has personal issues with Mike Handler who did an excellent job for years & is highly respected. NC health dept. needs to step up & deliver.
King Moynihan will decide when you are to receive information regarding covid-19. Don’t bother sending him an email as I have done in the past – he won’t reply.
Updates have been terrible since Mike Handler was let go.
Bring him back and let’s get back on track
Moynihan made a mistake and must fix this.
Under Mike Handler, COVID-related communication was exceptional. Since Mr. Handler’s departure, it has been embarrassingly sub-par. The pandemic is not over, by any means. For the safety of New Canaan residents, this should be attended to immediately by town officials.
Mike’s seven o clock phone calls were comforting to our families Miss them