Chambersburg Council President and Mayor comment on ongoing health crisis in the borough

Chambersburg Town Council President Alice Elia and Mayor Walt Bietsch announced Tuesday that Franklin County will remain in the Red Stay-At-Home Phase until June 4, according to a press release. 

"We have yet to meet key public health metrics for reopening, which include numbers of COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks as well as testing and contact tracing capacities," Elia said. 

State health data show that zip code 17201, largely occupied by the Borough of Chambersburg, accounts for nearly half of the COVID-19 cases in Franklin County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

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"While the appropriateness of the 'red' phase designation is subject to debate, local elected officials do not have the authority to independently permit non-waivered businesses to open during this 'red' phase," Bietsch said. "Non-waivered business owners/operators, who choose to open, do so at their own peril, considering the possible negative impacts that they may experience from the Wolf Administration, for violating the business closure order."

Gov. Wolf has recently clarified consequences for violating Red Phase Stay-At-Home orders, including loss of insurance coverage as well as state licensures for small businesses.

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"The county itself, and possibly the municipalities and organizations within it, may lose discretionary funds from the CARES Act that would directly benefit our citizens and our economic recovery," Elia said.

President Elia represents Ward One for the Borough of Chambersburg and was selected this year by the other members of council to serve as council president, the chief elected official of the borough of Chambersburg.

"I hope that you will join me in supporting this approach and continuing to believe in the goodwill of our neighbors and our borough business owners," she said.

Elia and Bietsch both recognized the economic toll of the pandemic and thanked borough residents for their collective sacrifice.

Elia noted risks associated with reopening too early, including jeopardizing the health of the community.

"We risk compromising our economic recovery if non-eligible businesses reopen in violation of state orders," she said. "Moreover, the health of our families and friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, our Borough staff, our emergency services personnel and police officers, our health aides and caregivers, our nurses and doctors, continue to depend on our willingness to abide by Red Phase Stay At Home orders."

Although the Chambersburg Borough Police Department does not have the authority to revoke state-issued licenses, Bietsch said business owners will be informed of the possible revocation by the state of any license under which they operate.

The council's approach will be that of educating and advising, Bietsch added.

"We request that non-waivered businesses who have contact with Chambersburg police officers, maintain a level of civility, cooperation and respect for these officers who are tasked with a difficult mission in these difficult times," he said. "Our officers will treat all with civility, respect, and will conduct themselves professionally."

Adhering to CDC guidelines, such as regular hand-washing, wearing a mask and continuing social distancing remain important, Elia said.

"Together, we can continue our work as a community toward the recovery of our livelihoods, the protection of public health, and the dearly sought normalcy of our pre-pandemic lives," she said.

Carley Bonk is a Watchdog Reporter for the USA Today Network - Pennsylvania. Her coverage spans across the southcentral region of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at cbonk@publicopinionnews.com or on Twitter at @carls_marie.