Councilman says Walhalla priorities misplaced

David Underwood says had he been present for last week’s meeting, he’d have voted against the Walhalla ordinance that, starting today, requires facial coverings while in public, when social distancing can’t be followed.  But Councilman Underwood said he and his wife were celebrating their anniversary.  Had he voted, the ordinance, he notes, would still have passed by a vote of 4-3.  Having spoken to people opposed to the ordinance, Underwood says he will make an attempt to re-consider when city council committees are scheduled to meet September 1.  Underwood believes this is an issue of personal choice and concedes it’s an issue that can be debated all day long.  He says, “I would rather out city focus on drugs that are illegally being sold in our city than chase someone down for not wearing a mask.”  Police Chief Sean Brinson says his officers won’t issue citations for at least the first week and will spend that time allowing people to adjust to the law.  As far as writing a $25 dollar ticket for violating the mask law, Brinson has said his officers won’t make a case unless they witness it themselves, but will investigate complaints, especially if they become repeat complaints.