Vermilion moving back to some sort of normalcy

VERMILION — Vermilion mayor Jim Forthofer recently recapped several items of interest during a public meeting. They include: Dredging Lake Erie • "I want to thank Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur for her help in providing federal funds for the dredging of the Vermilion River this summer. The congresswoman called me last fall to inform me of the plan to have $800,000 in federal funds totally pay for the dredging but asked to hold off on an announcement until funds were allocated, which they are. She places a high priority on the health of the Great Lakes and its waterways." Returning to the office • "City employees will return to work at City Hall on March 1. A poll of local communities still shows most municipalities closed to the public. This issue will continue to be under review with City Hall reopening to the public along with others in the next couple of months." Turning the corner on COVID-19? • "I am informed weekly by both the Erie and Lorain County health departments. Also, I meet frequently with Dr. Starck, president of Cleveland Clinic's Avon Hospital's through my membership on an advisory committee." • "Vaccination among the population is gaining as people know people who have been vaccinated without significant reaction. As we've all read, vaccination is currently irregular due to initial supply problems." • "Some initial reluctance to vaccinate seems to be diminishing as people know someone who got the vaccine without serious side effects." • "The sense among epidemiologists and physicians seems to be that we are gradually starting to turn the corner on the virus. Cases, hospitalizations and ICU visits are down." • "What does this mean to Vermilion? It means that my intention, as mayor, is to move us back to normalcy, with precautions, this summer. In collaboration with (various organizations), we intend to return to adapted versions of festivals. We will also attempt to open the pool with restrictions as guided by the Erie County Health Department." • "There is always caution on these statements. If the virus mutates and cases skyrocket again, then we will need to reassess." • "If faced with another health emergency like last year, I would do the same thing. Closing the pool and canceling our festivals along with other communities helped slow the pandemic until vaccines could be introduced. Let's hope we never return to those conditions." • "In the meantime, keep wearing a mask, maintain social distance, don't hold large gatherings and please get vaccinated when it's your turn. I did."