Grand Island, N.Y. (WBEN) - Government officials in the Town of Grand Island Monday night are expected to go on record opposing Erie County's emergency COVID response.
Town Board member Mike Madigan is advancing the resolution(below) that calls into question the continued extension of emergency powers in Erie County and specifically opposes further mask and vaccine mandates.
"This virus will continue to be part of our everyday life and must no longer be used to infringe on individual rights and freedoms as a result of declaring a state of emergency," the resolution reads.
Before the vote on the resolution occurs during Monday evening's scheduled town board meeting, Supervisor John Whitney is already on record as opposed to the mask mandate and COVID response in Erie County and New York State.
"I feel that the mandate will damage our businesses by forcing our residents to cross the bridge to Niagara County, where the mandate doesn’t exist," states Whitney. I have received several pleas from local businesses and residents asking me not to support the mandate."
Whitney recognizes the scope of the pandemic but also adds that COVID is now part of everyday life and agrees with Madigan that it should not be used as a basis for infringing upon the rights of citizens.
"I believe that managing it by declaring a State of Emergency and declaring mandates every time a new variant and/or spike in cases arises is counterproductive."
Related
Supervisors in the towns of West Seneca and Marilla have recently announced opposition to the ongoing mask mandate in Erie County and the Williamsville mayor has done so as well.