Buckhannon mayor David McCauley assured residents that the essential services offered by the city will continue uninterrupted amidst other disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our city is a provider of essential services – the core of our efforts is all about emergency services and utilities,” McCauley said in a statement released Friday afternoon. “We will not in any way nor at any time compromise our delivery of any of those services.”

City Hall will remain open unless directed otherwise by state officials, McCauley added.

However, the city announced Friday afternoon that the Stockert Youth and Community Center would close immediately and remain closed until schools reopen. The city also postponed the Upshur Youth Arts Exhibition that was to have opened Saturday at the Colonial Theater.

“We are all in this together, and I know as we get through the coming weeks that we’ll remain strong as a community with minimal impact on the health of our residents,” McCauley said.

Here’s the mayor’s full statement:

I want to reassure the citizens of our B-U community that our City is working closely with county health department officials regarding the threat posed by the coronavirus.  I have spoken with Sue McKisic, director of our county health department, Schools’ superintendent, Dr. Sara Stankus, & County Commissioner Sam Nolte regarding their measures to minimize as much as possible the threats posed by this virus.  We will be fully collaborative & interactive as public officials as we collectively address this health issue.

I remind all citizens of the basics concerning this matter as offered by our County Health Department:

In exercising an abundance of caution, we will close the Stockert Youth & Community Center effective immediately until our public schools reopen.  Additionally, the Upshur Youth Arts Exhibition scheduled for tomorrow that was to continue through April 3 will be postponed until our public schools are again open.  We apologize for all inconvenience, & especially to our children, but our concern for their health & the health of their families is paramount to all other things.

Our City is a provider of essential services- the core of our efforts is all about emergency services & utilities.  We will not in any way nor at any time compromise our delivery of any of those services. City Hall will remain open next week barring any contrary directive from Governor Justice.  We are all in THIS together, & I know as we get through the coming weeks, that we’ll remain strong as a community with minimal impact upon the health of our residents. On the gamut of under-reacting versus overreacting, it is best to possibly be overreacting.  Anyone having an emergency should contact 911 as you normally would. The best source of information about the virus remains the Centers for Disease Control website.