Mount Pleasant Magazine Documenting Covid-19

27 www.CoronavirusMag.com | www.ReadMPM.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com A s we shelter at home during the pandemic and play our own part in flattening the curve, the Town of Mount Pleasant must still provide essential services to its shut-in citizens. So, what is it like to run a town of 90,000 people during an unparalleled public health crisis? “It has certainly been challenging,” acknowledged Town Administrator Eric DeMoura. “But we’ve got a job to do and we can’t fail.” DeMoura has been conducting meetings primarily through videoconferencing and teleconferencing. While police, fire, public works, court and administration are at work, those employees who do not have to be physically at their jobs are working from home successfully, which amounts to roughly 25% of the town’s 700-person workforce. He teleconferences with his leadership team (high-level staff including department heads, the town attorney, emergency manager, risk manager, human resources director, etc.) every day to ensure operational objectives are being met, and to discuss public health and morale. “It’s my job making sure our leadership team remains focused and prepared to meet this challenge,” stated DeMoura, who has served as town administrator since 2010. “The good news is fortunately we have great people. And we have strong leadership from the mayor and the town council.” He noted that the leadership team recognized COVID-19’s threat early and started planning for it operationally in February. With the initial groundwork laid, they were BY COLIN MCCANDLESS Leading During a Pandemic Mount Pleasant Town Administrator Addresses Preparations, Challenges Mount Pleasant Town Administrator Eric DeMoura. Photo provided.