State of the Township broadcasts on Friday
Like so many other things in this year of the global pandemic, the annual Shelby Township State of the Township was a more reserved affair in 2020.
Last yea r ’ s event featured dance teams and a singing competition. This year, to accommodate gather ing restrictions and social distancing guidelines, while allowing the public to observe the presentation, the 2020 Shelby Township State of the Township program is taking place virtually and being broadcast by Shelby TV and on the township’s social media platforms.
The address followed a Macomb County Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast Sept. 18 at River Bends Park.
“I want to thank the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce for organizing the event and providing a very small, socially distanced audience, so I didn’t have to give the speech to an empty room,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “I always enjoy seeing our residents, whether it is at an event like this or our board meetings. Unfortunately, we’ve not been able to meet like that since February.”
This year’s reduced event followed a more extensive stage production for 2019 that highlighted the talents of local Utica Community Schools students. This year Eisenhower senior Bella Arini opened the event singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” while the Shelby Township Police Department honor guard presented the colors.
“Our production team had to reimagine what the event could be like with social distancing at an outdoor venue space, but they put together a gorgeous production that highlighted the natural beauty of River Bends Park,” Community Relations Director Brad Bates said. “Since the beginning of the COVOID-19 emergency, our residents have been enjoying our parks much more, and I want to thank Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Director Joe Youngblood for helping us turn River Bends Park into a small event center.”
The program premiers at 9 a.m. on Shelby TV Comcast Cable System channels 5, Wide Open West channel 10, AT&T U-Verse channel 99, facebook.com/theshelbytwp and youtube. It will air again on Shelby TV at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p. m. throughout the weekend, Sept. 26-27.
“I certainly hope people have a chance to watch the address and learn something about our township,” Stathakis said. “We’ve had a very challenging year in 2020, but I’m proud of the way our employees and board have guided the community through this, and this program is a great opportunity for us to share those details with the community.”