Not everyone was pleased with Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan’s emergency declaration on Friday, Nov. 20 that the city would begin enforcing the COVID-19 restrictions mandated by the executive orders from Gov. Roy Cooper.
City Councilmember Justin Outling said, “It is appearing to do something and in reality it’s doing nothing.”
Outling said that prior to the emergency declaration, people who violated the order could be charged with a misdemeanor. He said, “A misdemeanor is stronger than a civil penalty.”
Outling said, “What we are doing with this other then appearing to do something when in reality you are not. The staff is enforcing a civil penalty which the staff could already enforce.”
He said, “It’s not adding anything new. You could already give them a $100 penalty under the fire code.”
One part of the rationale for the emergency declaration is that the staff will attempt to educate people about the regulations, and Outling said, “The reality is that city staff can always go in and talk to business owners and educate business owners about the law.”
The City Council constantly talks about involving “stakeholders” in the decision making process. Outling asked why the stakeholders weren’t called in and consulted about how the mandates could be made more effective before the emergency declaration was made.
Outling did say that there was an effort to contact councilmembers about the emergency declaration before it was issued, but he didn’t see it as being asked for input, but simply being informed of the decision that had already been made.
Outling said, “It’s heavy, heavy symbolism with little or no substance. On matters of public health that’s just not the way to lead.”
He said, “The language around the civil order is that we are not going to fine you unless you are really, really horrible and then only after we remind you of that fact.”
Outling added that in his experience, “the vast majority of the people are already following the order.”
Is this the first “hat in the ring” for mayor?
The Spanish Flu charged through fairly quickly, killing a lot of people. Covid is all COOped up, and will linger for years, mutate too. Do you really think closing a bar or a store will make any difference? A few are obvious, but most are OK.
If you protect yourself, you can avoid anyone who doesn’t. For Thanksgiving, our mother is hosting another son and family and friends, all of whom work in different places in the public arena. It will be indoors. As seniors, we are not going. We do not dine indoors. It’s just common sense.
It may help to actually read what the enhanced state of emergency accomplished this before wasting your time writing an article.
Thanks for the information. We know that the mayor is just a big wind bag, but it is nice to see that some of the council agrees.
I dont agree with any of the order. It is an overreach of government power. I do find it rather satisfying that a local Democrat is outspoken enough to call out Vaughn’s smoke and mirrors show for what it is. There may be some hope for the world yet.
Thank you Justin Outling! A voice in the dark for the common man.
Blessings to you and your family, you’re going to be a great Mayor!
My understanding is that the Mayor’s order reinforces the Govenor’s new order which the Govenor now requires people working out in gyms to wear a mask while working out. I just want to point out that the World Health Organization has stated that it is dangerous to wear a mask while working out which to me is common sense but I think the Government is intentionally trying to harm people. When this is all over there will be many more dead from all of these ridicolous orders and mandates than from the virus itself. Never thought the USA would become the USSA…
Thanks Justin Outling for speaking out. If the mayor won’t let you speak at the meetings, she can read your opinion in the RhinoTimes. Her order was such an impotent act.
I just hope City Councilmember Justin Outling realizes he is the one-eyed man in the land of the blind. And as such he will become a target for the flying monkeys Democrats turn loose on those they consider dangerous.
I respectfully disagree with Mr. Outling. There were several establishments I frequented prior to the latest restrictions in which numerous employees and customers were not wearing masks. I would polity inquire as to why they weren’t wearing one and received a lot of snide, and sometimes rude, replies. As a result, I stopped going to these venues. After the latest restrictions and penalties for violations were put in place, I have gone back to these same venues. Not only were all of the employees complying, but all of the customers were as well. Can I say with absolute certainty that compliance was a result of the new mandate, no; however, a vast improvement of compliance has occurred since it’s implementation.