Hardeeville rejects coronavirus face mask requirements as mayor calls it ‘politics’
Hardeeville City Council unanimously voted to reject an emergency ordinance Wednesday afternoon that would have required people wear face coverings. The city is the first in the region to vote down a mask requirement.
Mayor Harry Williams and all four council members shared concerns with passing a law that couldn’t be enforced, saying an “aggressive” educational campaign could be more effective.
While discussing the idea of making masks mandatory, Williams said he was “personally uneasy about the issue of government mandating behavior of its citizens in a democracy.”
The draft ordinance posted online with the meeting agenda was created by the Municipal Association of South Carolina and said masks would be required for patrons at grocery stores and pharmacies as well as employees in a number of public businesses when interacting with customers. It also said violators of the ordinance would be subject to a $50 civil fine.
The idea of making masks mandatory in Hardeeville was the focus of the meeting rather than the ordinance’s details.
Hardeeville Police Chief Sam Woodward, who had a mask with him at Wednesday’s meeting, spoke first. He said that although he wears a mask himself, he did not support a resolution requiring them.
“I just don’t feel like I could enforce it,” he said. “I don’t have the manpower.”
Instead, he said wearing a mask should be up to the individual, and the city should focus on educating the public.
“I think people can use their own God-given common sense to wear [a mask] if they need to,” he said.
Although there aren’t any mask requirements in Jasper County, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, and Bluffton passed ordinances this week, effective Wednesday. Beaufort County and Port Royal were meeting late Wednesday to discuss their own.
“I’ve always said we can learn from our neighbors,” Williams said. “But [I] have also said we should know what our neighbors are doing and adapt it to our situation.”
Hardeeville does not have the same large population, tourist influx, or commerce that Beaufort County and its towns have, he said, and those differences should be taken into consideration.
“To pass a law without enforcement... we’re just playing politics and I don’t want to play that game,” he said, adding that the city could create an aggressive educational program and still encourage people to wear masks.
“We live in a rural county,” Woodward agreed. “We have tourists stop here, but tourists don’t stay here.”
Immediately following the rejection of the ordinance, Hardeeville web content and media specialist Imelda Golden presented a “PR Education and Awareness campaign” for the city promoting educational resources about wearing masks through venues such as social media.
“That’s excellent,” Williams said. “Far, far better approach than passing a law.”
Council members agreed, saying education will accomplish the goals without tying up law enforcement.
Before adjourning, Williams said he had one last request.
“Everybody, please wear your mask.”
What about elsewhere in Jasper County?
Jasper County Council will discuss mask requirements at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday. Council Chairman Henry Ethridge has asked County Attorney David Tedder to draft an ordinance for consideration, County Administrator Andrew Fulghum said Wednesday.
As of Wednesday morning, the Town of Ridgeland did not have plans to put mask requirements in place, Town Administrator Dennis Averkin said.
