The Bellefonte Borough Council wants to adopt a masking ordinance that will force local police to fine residents, visitors, and businesses up to $300 for not wearing masks indoors and outdoors within Bellefonte Borough. 

The main issue remains there is no emergency in Bellefonte Borough requiring draconian control measures as described in the ordinance. Since the inception of COVID-19, there have been 444 cases in the 16823 zip which encompasses additional townships even outside of Bellefonte Borough. This statistic represents a low case load when compared to neighboring boroughs such as State College that required additional mitigation efforts to curb the spread of 2900 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Bellefonte Borough is not experiencing this same type of emergency that would require such drastic action to be taken against the residents and visitors of Bellefonte Borough. Such action could have negative effects on local businesses and personal health. For example, many residents take to the outdoors for personal health activities such as walking and running. There is no statistical data that states passing someone on a sidewalk without a mask will spread COVID-19. Instilling fear of fines into residents and visitors is unacceptable and will not only discourage enjoyment of the outdoors during the dark winter months but will also discourage visitors from coming to Bellefonte to enjoy the town and patronize local businesses. Additionally, school-aged children are required to wear masks all day in school. You are doing them a disservice to require additional masking time outside of school when they are already spending nearly 8 hours a day with a mask on. 

Therefore, we the undersigned are opposed to the passing of Ordinance No: 20201019-01. The ordinance is unconstitutional, as it is a violation of our Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly. Furthermore, the Bellefonte Borough Council does not have the statutory authority to pass the ordinance. 

We, the undersigned, demand that, in the interest of transparency, all Borough Council members be present and accounted for at the public hearing to be scheduled for the purpose of receiving input from interested parties regarding the ordinance. Appearances by Zoom are not acceptable to the undersigned. We call for the resignation of any council member who refuses to comply with this demand.

As a resolution we request that Bellefonte Borough Council immediately abandon consideration of Ordinance NO: 2020101-01. Instead, we ask that you simply promote current state guidelines to residents and visitors of Bellefonte Borough for masking, similar to most neighboring townships. 

Thank you for considering this petition and hearing our voices.