Excerpts of the draft resolution

Smith’s original draft “resolution and ordinance” potentially“terminating local state of emergency” stated in part:

Whereas the citizens of Rappahannock County have heeded the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency and observed the local state of emergency, as a result of which the COVID-19 outbreak in Rappahannock County has remained statistically low and contained, and

Whereas hospitals and other health care facilities in surrounding localities have not been overwhelmed by COVID-19 and maintained the ability adequately to respond to the pandemic, and

Whereas the shutdown from the State of Emergency while arguably prudent and necessary, is becoming more detrimental to our local economy, and questions have been raised concerning the effectiveness of the mandatory shutdown and confinement measures as well as with regard to the constitutionality and lawfulness of these emergency measures,

Whereas Article 1, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia provides that laws should not be suspended and that all power of suspending laws, or the execution of laws, by any authority, without consent of the representatives of the people, is injurious to their rights, and ought not to be exercised . . .

NOW THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED and ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Rappahannock County, Virginia hereby ORDERS: (1) The Declaration of Local Emergency by Garrey W. Curry issued on March 17, 2020, pursuant to Virginia Code § 44-146.21 be and it is hereby terminated effective [immediately] or [as of _________________, 2020];

(2) That in order to restore the vibrant life, economic health, and personal liberty of the people of Rappahannock County, the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors hereby petitions and requests the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to include Rappahannock County as a locality where advanced easing of restrictions may take place on an expedited timetable in Phase One of the “Forward Virginia” Blueprint . . .

Record of the roll-call vote on motion to approve the foregoing resolution, said vote taken by the Board of Supervisors of Rappahannock County, Virginia, at an emergency meeting meeting held at the Rappahannock County County Library, Town of Washington, Rappahannock County, Virginia, on May 4, 2020.”