MANITOUWADGE — Santa Claus has been declared an essential service in Manitouwadge.
A resolution was passed at the township's Tuesday council meeting deeming Mr. Santa Claus, also referred to as “Santa,” essential to the community well-being of the residents of Manitouwadge.
Jim Moffat, mayor of Manitouwadge, said everyone was ‘just thrilled with the resolution.’
“I just think it’s a very happy resolution for all the citizens to know that Christmas is a special time and just because we’re on council, we do care about the people and want everybody to be happy during Christmas as much as they can,” said Moffat.
Under the resolution, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, along with all the elves, were required to be ready to make their gift deliveries to the good children living in Manitouwadge and guarantee his sleigh passed its annual inspection.
For this inspection, Santa must ensure that all the Reindeer are fed and watered and that Rudolph’s nose is shining bright.
It further said that Santa must also have spoken with the Town Council, the CAO, all department heads and staff to determine the best and safest routes to take for his annual deliveries.
Only through these conditions, it noted, would Santa be required to annually deliver presents to the many good children throughout the Township of Manitouwadge on the eve of Dec. 24th into the early hours of Dec. 25th.
However, Santa was not the only one who must fulfill the conditions for the resolution.
Moffat said it states that there are conditions, mostly in that the children stay on Santa’s “nice” list and that they set out goodies for Santa and his Reindeer for when they show up.
Santa may also only enter the home of every child residing in the Township of Manitouwadge to deliver presents, provided all children listen to their parents right up to December 24th and are in the home and fast asleep when Santa arrives.
“Well, this works out to be our last council meeting for the year and it’s always nice to end it on a nice, happy note with Christmas right around the corner. So yes, it really lightens the mood for the council meetings,” said Moffat.
