(Enid, OK) After a tense back and forth, the city of Enid has officially decided to follow the governor’s reopening plan, essentially skipping their self imposed phase two. A 4 to 3 vote finalized the recommendation put forth by City Manager Jerald Gilbert. Gilbert sites conversations with health officials and administrators as to why the plan is feasible.
The Governor’s phase three will allow residents to visit hospitals and patients within CDC guidelines. Gatherings of no more than 250 people are now allowed as well.
Those against the enacting of the Governor’s plan were Ward 3 Commissioner Ben Ezzell who stated that the city wasn’t taking the potential risk of another outbreak seriously enough, “We are telling the community by rolling this back further, ‘Everything’s fine!’ And that’s just not true.”
Including Ezzell, Ward 4 Commissioner Jonathan Waddell, and Ward 2 Commissioner Derwin Norwood voted against adopting the Governor’s plan.
Commissioners also voted unaminously to adopt the Enid Regional Development Authority’s recommendations on The District which includes an incentive package to Apex Cinemas.
The deal will include $3.5 million in tax rebate and a donation of 7.5 acres.
