Governor's Corners
Governor’s Corner
(UPDATED: 4/1/2020)
Recap
Roatan Governor Dino Silvestri kicked off the 16th Facebook Live broadcast with concerns about potential travelers attempting to reach Roatan aboard cargo ships. For this reason, cargo ships are being searched. Governor Dino Silvestri asked local residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious crossings from the mainland.
The Governor asked for civility from the community at large in observing the current guidelines and rules. There aren't enough police officers on the Bay Islands to enforce the law everywhere at once. Simply put, citizens and residents of the Bay Islands need to do the right thing.
The Governor announced that some businesses opened today. He stressed the importance of business owners showing restraint when deciding if they should be operational or not.
Governor Dino Silvestri confirmed that residents of St. Helene can travel to and from Santos Guardiola and Roatan. What is not allowed is travel to and from Utila, Guanaja, Cayos Cochinos, or the mainland.
Yesterday marked the last departing international flight out of Roatan.
Donations
The Governor used some of his time to update viewers on the capital campaign focused on raising funds for the community of Roatan. As of today, donations have reached just over $109,733K. Donations will be dispersed across the Bay Islands, and all disbursements will transparent via an online portal.
The real challenge is the lack of tourism born from the pandemic. For this reason, an online donations resource has been set up to help support the community at large. Donations can be made online through the Make it Count Foundation, who is a 501(c)(3).
The disbursement of these donations will be for emergency needs, healthcare workers, protective and medical equipment. Allocations of these funds will be transparent online.
Spotlight
Shelly Hood Burich
Shelly Burich has been in the Marketing and Communications Industry for over 30 years. A globally accredited member of the Canadian Public Relations Society, Burich received her undergraduate degree in Social Sciences from Hamilton, Ontario’s, McMaster University and a diploma in Marketing Communications Management from the BC Institute of Technology.
Some of the positions she has held include the Communications Manager for the Cariboo Regional District in British Columbia, National Manager of Marketing Communications for ADT Security Services, Publicist for the Oakville Centre for the Performing Art. Shelly holds the distinction of being named the first female media director in the Canadian Football League while with the Toronto Argonauts Football Club.
Throughout her career, Burich has earned numerous awards for marketing and communications strategies, emergency and crisis communications management and social media communications programs. One of the highlights of her career includes winning the National Don Rennie Memorial Award for Excellence in Government Communications in Canada.
Shelly has been a member of the Rotary Club of Roatan for the past four years and is presently serving as the President of the 2019/2020 term.
Currently, Shelly and her husband Mic, own and operate the Mangrove Bight Group designing and making custom furniture and cabinetry in the Bay Islands. They moved to Roatan over four years ago from British Columbia with their two Jack Russell terriers and Doberman.
Thank you, Miss Shelly, for all the hard work you have been doing for the Bay Islands during this crisis as a volunteer.
SOURCE: Gobernacion Islas de la Bahia.
NYC Press Briefing
Governor Dino Silvestri encouraged the public to tune into the daily press briefing by Governor Andrew Cuomo from NYC. This press briefing is meaningful as NYC is recognized as ground zero for the fight against COVID-19.
Governor Andrew Cuomo Briefings:
Future Facebook Live streams will be held at 3:15 pm (in Spanish) followed by a 4 pm English speaking version.
Below is a link to today's live stream.
Get plugged in with the #SupportRoatan Campaign.
“#SupportRoatan is a local marketing campaign aimed at assisting tourism businesses and tourism employees, locally made products, entrepreneurs and to assist in providing information on ways people can assist with local community projects in Roatan. Like or Follow Us and Use Tag #SupportRoatan”
Additional Resources:
Previous Press Releases.
