1
00:00:00,620 --> 00:00:02,519
Hey, good morning, Menasha.

2
00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:04,119
This is Mayor Austin Hammond.

3
00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:05,599
I just wanted to take a moment to

4
00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:07,259
check in and see how folks are doing

5
00:00:07,260 --> 00:00:09,320
and also offer some updates.

6
00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,059
I wanna start by sharing that my

7
00:00:12,060 --> 00:00:14,479
heart goes out to you and

8
00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:16,019
just, I wanna acknowledge how

9
00:00:16,020 --> 00:00:18,019
difficult the last day has been for

10
00:00:18,020 --> 00:00:19,879
our community with the

11
00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:21,179
significant weather, the tornado

12
00:00:21,180 --> 00:00:23,539
that have caused significant damage

13
00:00:23,540 --> 00:00:25,760
to private property, to homes,

14
00:00:26,980 --> 00:00:28,139
public infrastructure.

15
00:00:29,780 --> 00:00:31,499
Public spaces like our parks and

16
00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:32,579
local businesses.

17
00:00:32,580 --> 00:00:34,239
I just want you to know that my

18
00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:36,399
heart goes out to you and I

19
00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,019
see you and I hear you and I just

20
00:00:38,020 --> 00:00:39,739
wanna know that I care and I care a

21
00:00:39,740 --> 00:00:40,959
lot.

22
00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:42,839
And just wanted to start by

23
00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:45,059
acknowledging how difficult the

24
00:00:45,060 --> 00:00:46,839
last day has been.

25
00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:48,619
Shortly after the storm came through

26
00:00:48,620 --> 00:00:50,579
yesterday, I and our

27
00:00:50,580 --> 00:00:52,999
team coordinated the EOC

28
00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:54,939
and started gathering together

29
00:00:54,940 --> 00:00:56,939
to work towards

30
00:00:56,940 --> 00:00:58,859
organizing and

31
00:00:58,860 --> 00:01:00,269
coordinating with.

32
00:01:00,270 --> 00:01:02,189
Other municipalities, the sheriff's

33
00:01:02,190 --> 00:01:04,189
office, county executives

34
00:01:04,190 --> 00:01:06,229
office, state

35
00:01:06,230 --> 00:01:08,889
agencies, nonprofits,

36
00:01:08,890 --> 00:01:10,949
businesses, anybody and

37
00:01:10,950 --> 00:01:12,349
everybody to make sure that we are

38
00:01:12,350 --> 00:01:13,569
providing for our residents and

39
00:01:13,570 --> 00:01:14,569
working through this difficult

40
00:01:14,570 --> 00:01:16,289
situation.

41
00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:17,269
At 4 p.m.

42
00:01:17,270 --> 00:01:19,309
Yesterday, I also declared a

43
00:01:19,310 --> 00:01:21,249
local state of disaster

44
00:01:21,250 --> 00:01:23,089
for the city of Monashah as

45
00:01:23,090 --> 00:01:25,049
pursuant to the

46
00:01:25,050 --> 00:01:27,089
city Monashach code, which allows

47
00:01:27,090 --> 00:01:28,090
for it.

48
00:01:29,420 --> 00:01:31,159
This is a very significant and

49
00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:33,379
serious situation and

50
00:01:33,380 --> 00:01:34,479
our staff has been working

51
00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,239
tirelessly around the clock working

52
00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:39,199
through this and we are working

53
00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:41,399
very closely with

54
00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:43,299
neighboring municipalities and other

55
00:01:43,300 --> 00:01:45,339
agencies and

56
00:01:45,340 --> 00:01:47,199
established checkpoints within the

57
00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:48,719
city of Menasha to make sure folks

58
00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:50,619
that are not from the city are

59
00:01:50,620 --> 00:01:52,639
not coming in

60
00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:54,569
and to keep our roads

61
00:01:54,570 --> 00:01:56,909
safe so our utilities

62
00:01:56,910 --> 00:01:58,869
can get worked on as

63
00:01:58,870 --> 00:02:00,949
there are many power lines down and

64
00:02:00,950 --> 00:02:02,269
that our public works can work

65
00:02:02,270 --> 00:02:04,589
towards clearing the roads, but

66
00:02:04,590 --> 00:02:05,929
ultimately to make sure first

67
00:02:05,930 --> 00:02:07,289
responders are able to get through

68
00:02:07,290 --> 00:02:10,008
safely to check in on residents.

69
00:02:10,009 --> 00:02:11,589
So I know it's probably been

70
00:02:11,590 --> 00:02:14,289
frustrating with the checkpoints at

71
00:02:14,290 --> 00:02:16,289
different areas throughout the city,

72
00:02:16,290 --> 00:02:18,309
but Folks, that's for your

73
00:02:18,310 --> 00:02:20,229
safety, all of our safety to make

74
00:02:20,230 --> 00:02:22,249
sure people that aren't supposed

75
00:02:22,250 --> 00:02:24,089
to be in and

76
00:02:24,090 --> 00:02:25,809
might be interested in coming in in

77
00:02:25,810 --> 00:02:28,049
the midst of a significant

78
00:02:28,050 --> 00:02:30,189
weather event like this don't.

79
00:02:30,190 --> 00:02:31,749
Make sure first responders are able

80
00:02:31,750 --> 00:02:33,449
to get through effectively as well

81
00:02:33,450 --> 00:02:34,749
as first responders from neighboring

82
00:02:34,750 --> 00:02:36,609
communities that are here

83
00:02:36,610 --> 00:02:37,610
to help.

84
00:02:38,310 --> 00:02:39,929
And that's another thing.

85
00:02:39,930 --> 00:02:41,569
I just want to take a moment to

86
00:02:41,570 --> 00:02:42,809
acknowledge that there's been a lot

87
00:02:42,810 --> 00:02:44,069
of hardship and sacrifice.

88
00:02:45,490 --> 00:02:47,309
That's already happened within

89
00:02:47,310 --> 00:02:48,209
our community.

90
00:02:48,210 --> 00:02:50,169
But I'm asking as a neighbor,

91
00:02:52,150 --> 00:02:54,189
as mayor, that the community

92
00:02:54,190 --> 00:02:56,409
comes together in partnership

93
00:02:56,410 --> 00:02:58,489
and we look

94
00:02:58,490 --> 00:03:00,169
out for one another and we looked

95
00:03:00,170 --> 00:03:01,869
for opportunities to serve each

96
00:03:01,870 --> 00:03:02,869
other.

97
00:03:02,870 --> 00:03:05,529
And just that there's gonna be

98
00:03:05,530 --> 00:03:07,329
difficulty and sacrifice that needs

99
00:03:07,330 --> 00:03:09,209
to be had as the coming days and

100
00:03:09,210 --> 00:03:11,289
weeks continue and

101
00:03:11,290 --> 00:03:12,709
utilities works to get the power

102
00:03:12,710 --> 00:03:13,870
back up and on.

103
00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:17,179
Work through some logistics

104
00:03:17,180 --> 00:03:19,199
with our municipal water

105
00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:21,099
as we are relying on the City of

106
00:03:21,100 --> 00:03:23,079
Neenah for our water

107
00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:24,279
right now.

108
00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:26,119
Public works continues

109
00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:27,799
to work towards clearing our roads.

110
00:03:28,820 --> 00:03:30,699
Other agencies are going to come in

111
00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:32,839
to help through mutual

112
00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:34,779
aid agreement and different things

113
00:03:34,780 --> 00:03:36,119
like that.

114
00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:38,219
Like I said, we've been working very

115
00:03:38,220 --> 00:03:39,479
closely with the Village of Fox

116
00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:41,159
Crossing, City of Neenau, Winnebago

117
00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:42,899
County, County Executive's Office,

118
00:03:42,900 --> 00:03:44,499
the Sheriff's Department.

119
00:03:44,500 --> 00:03:46,159
In building very collaborative

120
00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,659
partnerships, I want to

121
00:03:48,660 --> 00:03:50,579
extend a huge thank you to

122
00:03:50,580 --> 00:03:51,739
everybody that has opened their

123
00:03:51,740 --> 00:03:54,259
doors graciously for

124
00:03:54,260 --> 00:03:56,279
shelter or charging, even if just

125
00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:58,499
temporarily during business hours.

126
00:03:58,500 --> 00:03:59,999
It's made a world of difference.

127
00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,899
So our main shelter is

128
00:04:01,900 --> 00:04:03,399
at Christ the Rock Church.

129
00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,659
Folks can pick up water at

130
00:04:06,660 --> 00:04:08,539
Piggly Wiggly in the city of

131
00:04:08,540 --> 00:04:10,259
Menasha. There's been remarkable

132
00:04:10,260 --> 00:04:12,179
generosity with donating bottles of

133
00:04:12,180 --> 00:04:13,309
water.

134
00:04:13,310 --> 00:04:15,229
The Catholic Bible Church also

135
00:04:15,230 --> 00:04:16,949
has a charging station and a cooling

136
00:04:16,950 --> 00:04:18,070
station for people.

137
00:04:19,190 --> 00:04:21,109
I just want to say that I've

138
00:04:21,110 --> 00:04:22,929
been overwhelmed with the

139
00:04:22,930 --> 00:04:24,369
generosity of our community and

140
00:04:24,370 --> 00:04:25,949
folks coming together to ask how

141
00:04:25,950 --> 00:04:27,769
they can help.

142
00:04:27,770 --> 00:04:29,569
We are working with Partnership Fox

143
00:04:29,570 --> 00:04:31,309
Cities who will have a link to

144
00:04:31,310 --> 00:04:33,269
update and coordinate

145
00:04:33,270 --> 00:04:35,189
how volunteer efforts can be made

146
00:04:35,190 --> 00:04:36,529
and donations and different things

147
00:04:36,530 --> 00:04:37,779
like that.

148
00:04:37,780 --> 00:04:39,599
Folks, just for updates, please

149
00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:41,419
continue to check official City of

150
00:04:41,420 --> 00:04:43,360
Manassia Facebook pages,

151
00:04:44,700 --> 00:04:46,539
the website, emergency

152
00:04:46,540 --> 00:04:48,219
management to the county.

153
00:04:48,220 --> 00:04:49,499
Just want to take this opportunity

154
00:04:49,500 --> 00:04:51,399
just as a

155
00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:53,319
reminder, this is my

156
00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:54,179
personal Facebook.

157
00:04:54,180 --> 00:04:55,979
I will absolutely keep updating it

158
00:04:55,980 --> 00:04:57,299
and providing updates throughout

159
00:04:57,300 --> 00:04:59,199
this, but this does not

160
00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:01,459
constitute a official City of Monash

161
00:05:01,460 --> 00:05:03,979
Outlet, my

162
00:05:03,980 --> 00:05:06,359
personal page, but as mayor,

163
00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:08,299
I will do my best to

164
00:05:08,300 --> 00:05:09,879
keep you updated and share that

165
00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:11,199
pertinent and important information

166
00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:13,259
as I always do.

167
00:05:13,260 --> 00:05:15,299
But Menasha, I know that things are

168
00:05:15,300 --> 00:05:17,419
incredibly difficult right now,

169
00:05:17,420 --> 00:05:19,519
and there's

170
00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:21,339
so much loss in this moment,

171
00:05:21,340 --> 00:05:23,379
but I just want you to know that I

172
00:05:23,380 --> 00:05:25,399
care and I see

173
00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:27,059
you and we're going to get through

174
00:05:27,060 --> 00:05:27,839
this.

175
00:05:27,840 --> 00:05:29,739
It's going to be a difficult coming

176
00:05:29,740 --> 00:05:31,639
days and weeks,

177
00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,759
but Minash is a strong and resilient

178
00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:35,249
community and we will.

179
00:05:35,250 --> 00:05:36,769
We will come out stronger in the

180
00:05:36,770 --> 00:05:38,869
end, and I know that it's hard to

181
00:05:38,870 --> 00:05:40,589
imagine that right now with all of

182
00:05:40,590 --> 00:05:42,749
the hardship that's going on, but we

183
00:05:42,750 --> 00:05:44,649
will get through this together.

184
00:05:44,650 --> 00:05:46,109
Asking for your partnership, let's

185
00:05:46,110 --> 00:05:47,449
look out for one another and our

186
00:05:47,450 --> 00:05:49,389
neighbors, and

187
00:05:49,390 --> 00:05:52,108
look for ways to help each other.

188
00:05:52,109 --> 00:05:54,129
Please adhere to

189
00:05:54,130 --> 00:05:55,509
guidelines that are being put in

190
00:05:55,510 --> 00:05:57,309
place and rules.

191
00:05:57,310 --> 00:05:58,949
I know there's been so much hardship

192
00:05:58,950 --> 00:06:00,869
already, but I really need you.

193
00:06:00,870 --> 00:06:01,990
We need each other,

194
00:06:03,250 --> 00:06:04,769
whether it's a curfew getting

195
00:06:04,770 --> 00:06:07,289
established or those checkpoints,

196
00:06:07,290 --> 00:06:08,809
it's for everybody's safety and make

197
00:06:08,810 --> 00:06:10,149
sure we're moving in a good and

198
00:06:10,150 --> 00:06:11,150
positive direction.

199
00:06:12,230 --> 00:06:13,889
And again, just wanna extend my

200
00:06:13,890 --> 00:06:15,869
sincerest thanks to the city of

201
00:06:15,870 --> 00:06:17,129
Menasha staff.

202
00:06:17,130 --> 00:06:18,949
We have remarkable people that

203
00:06:18,950 --> 00:06:20,769
work for this community and are

204
00:06:20,770 --> 00:06:22,669
so blessed to have them.

205
00:06:22,670 --> 00:06:24,069
Thank you to our first responders.

206
00:06:24,070 --> 00:06:25,009
Thank you, to our local

207
00:06:25,010 --> 00:06:25,949
municipalities.

208
00:06:25,950 --> 00:06:27,489
Thank you. To the business community

209
00:06:27,490 --> 00:06:29,769
and nonprofits and

210
00:06:29,770 --> 00:06:32,339
other agencies that have been

211
00:06:32,340 --> 00:06:33,859
Reaching out to help our local

212
00:06:33,860 --> 00:06:35,679
electeds and the state

213
00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:37,719
legislature and everywhere

214
00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:39,739
else that have been checking in.

215
00:06:39,740 --> 00:06:41,059
Thank you so much, Menasha.

216
00:06:41,060 --> 00:06:42,680
We will get through this together.

217
00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:45,699
Praying for you, thinking of you,

218
00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:47,599
and I just want you

219
00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:50,619
to be reminded

220
00:06:50,620 --> 00:06:52,479
that your city staff is working

221
00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:53,559
around the clock.

222
00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:54,999
We're working in shifts to make sure

223
00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:56,939
we are working through the

224
00:06:56,940 --> 00:06:58,139
aftermath of the storm.

225
00:06:58,140 --> 00:06:59,619
So we will get though this.