Dear Citizens of Butte-Silver Bow,
Headlines around the world are reminding us that we are living in uncertain times. However, I know one thing is for certain, and that is the strength of our city-county and its people. With the number of positive COVID-19 tests changing daily in the state of Montana, we must do our part and be vigilant to help slow the spread of the virus. While it is vital to limit our person-to-person contact and exercise sanitary measures, we still need to go about the business of our daily lives. Shopping for groceries, filling our cars with gas, and picking up food for dinner is still a necessity.
Our community’s grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, and many other businesses have done an incredible job of serving our city-county, and I want to thank them. While services have been limited to prevent the congregation of groups, we appreciate all our citizens who are on the frontlines of the service industry providing for our needs. We are a community that helps its neighbors, and it is so important right now to be courteous to one another. Please remember others, and only purchase what you need so there is enough product for all households. In addition, this will allow stores to effectively re-stock essential items needed by everyone.
Thank you to all citizens who are pulling together to help those in need. We hear great stories every day. It doesn’t surprise us, though. That is the good nature of our city, always lending a helping hand.
Thank you also to our first responders, Health Department employees, and all doctors and nurses who have been working around the clock, keeping us safe. We are grateful for their service and dedication.
As many already know, in order to protect our employees and fellow citizens, we have closed all non-essential government buildings to in-person business until further notice. Butte-Silver Bow will be doing business with its citizens via phone or online to minimize large groups and person-to-person contact. Our Butte-Silver Bow employees are here to help and are doing a wonderful job continuing to serve our community.
We understand that things are changing quickly, and we want to keep our citizens updated on all information related to COVID-19 and how it affects our community. We ask that you look for new information on our website, http://co.silverbow.mt.us/, or call the Courthouse main line, 406-497-6200 with questions. The Health Department has set up a call center to field questions relating to COVID-19. The call center number is 406-497-5008 and is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
We empathize with our friends and neighbors who are out of work at this time. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has made it possible for those workers affected by closings related to COVID-19 to collect unemployment benefits immediately, waiving the one-week waiting period. We also suggest that citizens call the Butte Job Service at 406-494-0300 to discuss possible employment opportunities in our area.
As things continue to change rapidly, we recommend following the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines for prevention of the spread of COVID-19 at cdc.gov.
I would like to thank all citizens in Butte-Silver Bow who are sacrificing so much right now. It is difficult to keep our distance from family and friends; however, we are fortunate technology helps us all stay close. We are in this together, and with a little patience and kindness, we will get through this time with the same strength and resilience our city-county has demonstrated for generations.
Sincerely,
Dave Palmer, Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive