Walhalla to re-examine mask law

Walhalla’s mask law may be in jeopardy.  Everyone at last evening’s meeting of the city council committees wore face coverings, but two councilmen succeeded in at least pausing enforcement of a law that has been enveloped in controversy in already its second week.  The council passed Keith Pace’s motion to place the mask ordinance on the agenda of the council’s regular September meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, the 15th.  At that meeting, the council will welcome public comment, especially from the business community.  City officials will spend the interval evaluating whether the impact to business is outweighing the benefit of promoting protection against the spread of COVID-19.  Pace and colleague David Underwood say their conversations with business owners indicate that the business owners they spoke with are nearly unanimous in saying the law hurts business.  However, mask supporter Sarai Melendez questioned the validity of her colleagues’ findings and said she wants to find more data.  The council heard businesswoman Lana Justice say the law has already affected bookings for her event center on Main Street.  Underwood believes there are people who drive through Walhalla and won’t stop out of fear they could be fined if their faces are not covered while in close contact with others.