News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
All Overton County and City of Livingston government offices will be closed to the public beginning Monday.
City Mayor Curtis Hayes and County Executive Ben Danner announced the moves Friday. Hayes called it a precaution to keep all employees and residents safe.
“We’re hoping people will do as much business as they can from home,” Danner said. “The president and the governor are asking us to try to keep groups of ten down to try and kill this out, so the only way I could see that happening is to close county offices.”
All county and city office drive-thru windows will still be open. Employees will be working and can be contacted via phone and email. All recreational sports and events are suspended. This includes activities at the city park, Winningham Nature Park and Central Park.
All gatherings at the park, Hayes said, are cancelled until further notice. That includes family reunions and birthday parties.
“All city meetings, city council meetings, planning commission meetings, downtown revitalization meetings, any meetings that have the city of Livingston involved have been cancelled,” Hayes said.
Danner said dealing with the uncertainty of things right now can be difficult.
“Change is not easy, especially change like this,” Danner said. “We’re rural Overton County that likes to shake hands. We like to hug. We like to eat. We are just going to have to change the way we’re handling day to day life.”
Officials said they would reevaluate the situation in two weeks.
