We the undersigned respectfully petition West Chester Borough Council to pass, as written and with no delay, the proposed single-use plastic bag and straw ordinance on July 17, 2019.

We understand state government has claimed to preempt local governments from taxing, regulating or prohibiting single-use plastics, and that, by passing or enforcing the proposed ordinance, the Borough may incur legal action from special interests and others. We are willing to take that risk to stand up for the Borough's right to determine what is best for its residents' health, safety, and welfare.

We base our position on the following:
- Our local government structure gives ultimate power to us -- the residents.
- Our state constitution guarantees us the right to clean air, pure water and the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment.
- Our national constitution confers upon us certain inalienable rights. We have the right to defend ourselves against the threats that plastics -- and the fossil fuel-based production thereof -- pose to our land and water, our environment's life-sustaining capacity, and our food supply.
- Our children's and grandchildren’s future is in our hands. We stand at a crossroads, and decisions made today lead down a path from which there is no turning back.