The City-County Observer is pleased to announce that Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke has been selected as the fifth (5th) winner of the CCO 2021 “Outstanding Community Service Award” for his leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the COVID-19 impacted Evansville, Indiana in mid-March, Mayor Winnecke sought to balance protecting public health while maintaining our local economy.
Collaborating with local hospital and health department officials, business leaders, local school and college officials, and other elected local officials, Mayor Winnecke continues to lead and coordinate Evansville’s response to the pandemic.
After the state of Indiana and the entire nation was shut down due to COVID-19, the impacts on the economy and our neighbors were devastating.
In April, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke created the Reopen Evansville Task Force and appointed Deputy Mayor Steve Schaefer to lead a comprehensive community effort to address challenges impacting our city and developing a path forward.
The Task Force continues to work with local businesses, organizations, and health experts to ensure a safe, smooth transition to fully reopening our community.
Mayor Winnecke’s Actions Since The COVID19 Virus:
Prior to COVID-19 spreading to our community, Mayor Winnecke assembled local hospital and Health Department leaders — later known as the Medical Advisory Group — to provide consultation and help inform the public about the virus.
On March 12, Mayor Winnecke signed a Joint Emergency Proclamation, along with the Vanderburgh County Commissioners. The proclamation temporarily closed all City and County-owned buildings to the public.
Mayor Winnecke helped coordinate the COVID-19 Response Fund of the Greater Evansville Region. The fund has boosted essential nonprofit services to area counties. Total contributions to the Response Fund stand at nearly $5.1 million.
The Mayor’s Reopen Evansville Task Force was created in April.
In June, Mayor Winnecke announced a mandatory mask executive order after receiving unanimous approval from the Medical Advisory Group. The order was later rescinded after Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb enacted a statewide mandatory mask order.
The Reopen Task Force created the Reopen Evansville Assistance Portal. The portal connects residents and business owners with financial assistance. The task force also hosted a “Reopen House” for rent and utility assistance prior to the end of Indiana’s statewide moratorium on evictions and utility shutoffs.
After meeting with State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box, local health department officials, and local hospital leaders, Mayor Winnecke issued his second pandemic-related Executive Order in October. Organizers of any social or civic gathering where the total number of those in attendance is expected to exceed 125 persons will be required to submit a written event plan to the Vanderburgh County Health Department at least ten days prior to the event. Mayor Winnecke issued the order after Indiana Health District 10 data revealed community spread was prevalent at large social gatherings and at long-term health care facilities. The Indiana State Department of Health employed strike team visits at Evansville long-term health care facilities for testing and infection control.
Mayor Winnecke continues to make sound, and creative business decisions as the situation merits in order to continue to help keep our local business opened much as possible, while protecting public health.
Because of the Covid-19 virus issues , we have rescheduled a possible date for our awards luncheon for May 27, 2021 Tropicana-Evansville. Â The COVID-19 virus crisis has forces us to reduce our attendees list down to comply with state guidelines. Â If things improve before the date of this event we increase the attendees list.
Joining Mayor Winnecke as a 2021 “CCO Outstanding Community Services Award” winners for 2021 are; the popular State  Senator Vaneta Becker, community activists and prominent attorney Charles L. Berger, the retiring and Honorable Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judge Richard G. D’Amour, outstanding public servant and former Vanderburgh County Treasurer Susan Kirk and the Co-Chairpersons of the “Feed The Hungry” collation of Vanderburgh County, Lisa Vaughn and Evansville City Council member Alex Burton did an incredible job.
