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MELNA Members: A Letter to Send to Your Municipal Government

 

For Garden Retailers

 

     DOWNLOAD a copy of the “Garden Retailers Essential in Maine” letter to print and mail.

 

 

From Donald Sproul, Executive Director, Maine Landscape & Nursery Association

 

Dear MELNA Members,

As government actions ramp up in response to COVID-19, expect more business closures — maybe even yours.

Governor Mills, in her most recent Executive Order issued today, has started the process of closing or limiting hours of some businesses. In the Executive Order, she did include agriculture as an “essential business”, exempting it from closures – for now. This could change at any time. Municipalities also have the option of being more restrictive than the state government.

Therefore, this still may come at any time at the state level, or it could come on a town by town basis.

Our industry is uniquely positioned to provide an outlet where people can practice social distancing, while still being productive. This will lead to a better state of physical, mental, and emotional well-being for the public.

Please read the downloadable letter above, and then get it sent to your municipal government. I would suggest it go to your Town or City Manager. If your municipality has no manager, then send it to the Council Chair or the First Selectperson.

I will be sending this to our state officials and our congressional delegation.

I have also signed MELNA on as a signatory to a similar letter, but addressed at the national level, to Federal authorities.

 

Donald F. Sproul

Executive Director,
Maine Landscape & Nursery Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

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