City of Clarion issues updated emergency proclamation

               A new month, a new emergency proclamation. On May 1, Mayor Duane Asbe and the City of Clarion issued a proclamation superseding the previous one that had been signed at the beginning of April. The proclamation declares “that a state of emergency or public danger still exists within the City of Clarion, Iowa because of the threat of the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

                Both Asbe and City Administrator Clint Middleton noted that the new proclamation is basically a continuation of the one from last month. Most of the rules in it are carried over from the previous notice. Gatherings of ten or more people are still “strongly discouraged” and city-sponsored recreation programs are still suspended. Parks remain closed though green spaces and trails are open.

                The proclamation reiterates that Clarion City Council meetings will be handled electronically but leaves it open for in-person official meetings to resume when they can. Though the previous provision about city hall and the library being closed is not in the new proclamation, both remain closed for now.

                One of the few differences in the new document pertains to the town curfew. The curfew is still in effect for unaccompanied minors, but the curfew hours now start at 11 p.m. rather than 10 p.m. All policies laid out by the proclamation are enforceable by the Clarion Police Department.

                Mayor Asbe says the emergency proclamation is still necessary. “We’re getting closer to things getting back to normal, but we want to take precautions. We want to be as ready as we can.” Middleton agreed, stating “Hopefully we can go back to normal soon, but this is what we need to do for now.”

                The document ends by noting, “more information will be shared with the public as it becomes available.”