BULLETIN
MAYOR VETOES
CITY MASK LAW
ONEONTA – With multiple public comments submitted voicing concerns over the enforcement of wearing masks in private homes, Mayor Gary Herzig announced at the end of tonight’s public hearing that he would not sign the city’s mask ordinance, which narrowly passed Council, 5-2, with one abstention, at its last meeting.
“I fully support wearing masks,” said Herzig. “The intent of the law was to make local enforcement more effective. However, I do not believe this ordinance will achieve that purpose, and I will exercise my right to veto this law.”
Herzig said that he would sign an ordinance that required masks in the business district.
” I do not believe this ordinance will achieve that purpose, and I will exercise my right to veto this law.” (Mayor Herzig)
On what basis and why would you (the Mayor) not sign the masking law? As a rational and caring Mayor, you could sign the masking law to see how it works till the end of December 2020. If it works and saves lives, this model could be repeated in other cities. If you veto it without having any concrete evidence of it not working and if a number of people get sick or someone dies under your watch, you might have to do a lot of explaining to the people of the City of Oneonta.