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Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, April 11-14, 2020 A-9 The Park Record Deer Valley employees hit Furloughs or hour cuts affect nearly 300 resort workers We Are OPEN And Here To Serve Park City Residents In A Sanitized Facility BUBBA BROWN The Park Record Nearly 300 year-round workers at Deer Valley Resort have been furloughed or had their hours reduced due to the financial fallout stemming from the premature end to ski season, a spokesperson for the resort said. Emily Summers, senior communications manager at Deer Valley, indicated in an email response to a Park Record inquiry that the changes were effective April 4 and will remain in place until further notice. Approximately 290 hourly and salaried employees were affected by the cuts, she said. “We are continuously monitoring and adhering to the ever-changing and fluid COVID 19 situation and community health directives, but we do expect this reduction to last at least through the month of April,” she said. “Employees will return to the resort once we are able to determine the timing of future resort operations.” Alterra Mountain Company, the owner of Deer Valley Resort, has taken similar steps at its other ski areas, according to the Denver Post, as it reacts to the economic ramifications caused by the coronavirus. PARK RECORD FILE PHOTO Nearly 300 year-round employees at Deer Valley Resort have been furloughed or had their hours cut amid continuing fiscal uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Summers said Deer Valley employees affected by the measures will retain their health care benefits and can use accrued paid time off. They are also eligible for state and federal unemployment benefits, though they will keep their seniority and employment status. She also said capital improvement projects planned at the resort may be put on hold or canceled, though specifics were not available. In early march, the resort announced $14 million in projects, including a renovation of the Snow Park Lodge. Vail Resorts, which owns Park City Mountain Resort, has also pursued significant cost-cutting measures, including furloughing employees at its U.S. ski areas. Nearly 400 workers at PCMR were furloughed earlier this month for at least the next several weeks. Both Deer Valley and PCMR closed in mid-March alongside their parent companies’ other North American properties as the coronavirus began to spread in Summit County and other ski resort destinations in the West, which have been hit particularly hard by the disease. Ski season at both Park City resorts was originally planned to end Sunday. Though the closures came after the majority of the winter season had concluded, the abrupt end to the season nonetheless represents a significant blow to the ski industry. Vail Resorts has said it anticipates losing $180 to $200 million in revenue as a result of the season’s unexpected end. The National Ski Areas Association, meanwhile, has estimated U.S. resorts collectively could lose $2 billion, according to the Colorado Sun. CJC still helping children Pandemic could heighten risk for abuse victims JEFF DEMPSEY The Park Record As the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting social isolation continues, Summit County authorities are reaching out to residents to ensure they are safe g in their homes. While adults are likely to know what to do if they feel they need help, what avet nues are available to children who are being mistreated or s abused? In Summit County, they and n their advocates can turn to the local Children’s Justice Center, which provides services to chil, dren who have been victimized by abuse. Ted Walker, director of the g Summit County CJC, said the n center has had to make adjustl ments as a result of the pandeme ic but he stressed it is still open e and available to help. a “We put into place an emergency protocol early on to ent sure that children are able to be interviewed and parents t have their questions answered d and have access to services, while not putting them or our e multi-disciplinary team meme bers at more risk for being exposed to COVID-19,” he said. “Interviews are happening, o people are talking with victim e advocates and other services are s accessible although in a different way. c “The protocol put in place ensures that none of the victims that would normally be inter- viewed at the Children’s Justice Center will be turned away.” Walker said the CJC is taking additional safety measures to ensure those who do come to the center are safe, from putting hand sanitizer at the entrance to requiring daily reporting by staff of any symptoms they or members of their family are experiencing. One thing the center needs more of, however, is masks. Walker said anyone who has masks to spare can call the CJC at 435-615-3910 and arrange to donate them. Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson said the combination of isolation and added stress increase the likelihood of domestic violence and child maltreatment. For one, she said, it hinders the ability of victims to reach out to trusted friends and family for help. “One of the hallmarks of domestic violence is a perpetrator’s attempt at control over a victim, particularly from contacting outside resources,” Olson said. “Close quarters and constant presence of the perpetrator can exacerbate this.” Whether victims themselves or just witnesses to abuse, children, like spouses and partners, are at greater risk. “Children may witness or experience more maltreatment due to family stress and child’s increased proximity to an abuser,” Olson said. “Further, a child’s trusted adult, such as teachers, counselors, coaches and activities coordinators are not there for children to disclose or to have them recognize potential signs of child maltreatment.” Child abuse, Olson said, knows no socioeconomic, cultural or religious boundaries. It can occur even in the best of times. But added stressors do increase the likelihood of abuse. And some of that potential abuse comes from outside the home, thanks to the isolation of a stay-at-home order. “Children are more vulnerable to child exploitation by online predators as they spend more time on their computers and social media,” Olson said. While the coronavirus pandemic makes it more difficult to detect domestic violence or child maltreatment, Olson said her office is encouraging Summit County residents to be vigilant, to “see it, hear it, report it.” “The Summit County CJC and Victim Advocate’s Office are open and serving victims and families,” she said. “We need community members and our community partners to reach out to potentially at-risk children and families to check in. Those trusted adults can act as a support system for those children and families as well as report anything suspicious.” Olson said kids need to let authorities know if they encounter anything suspicious online, as well. “We also encourage children and teens to report to their trusted adults if they are involved in social media or other conversations or image sharing that are sexual, exploiting, threatening, confusing, alarming, intimidating or frightening,” she said. “Also, if a young person knows a friend may be sharing inappropriate information with an unknown person or adult, please talk to a trusted adult about your friend and report it to law enforcement. We have to help each other stay safe.” We understand there is a lot of uncertainty within our communities and beyond. At Mike Hale Chevrolet, our doors are still open to serve you in the purchase of a new vehicle or in when your current vehicle needs to be serviced. 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