Oneonta mayor vetoes city mask ordinance

Mayor Gary Herzig made the announcement following a public hearing on the ordinance.

Passed an ordinance requiring the use of face masks and face coverings on private and public property in the city of oneonta.

The ordinance mirrored a state mandate issued by governor cuomo in april.

A public hearing regarding the mask ordinance was held at the start of tonight's common council meeting.

Participants were able to participate via zoom, or they could mail or email comments directly to the city prior to the hearing.

Some voiced their support for the ordinance while others feltthe n their authority to enact it.

Following the public hearing oneonta mayor gary herzig announced that he was exercising his right to veto the ordinance.

"i believe council's intent on adopting this ordinance, was to make local law enforcement of the current state law more effective.

I do not believe however that this ordinance will achieve that purpose.

I want it to be known that i support a mask ordinance which keeps us safe.

I do not believe that this one will.

I am therefore exercising my right to veto this ordinance."

The mayor also said that he believes wearing a mask in the city's business districts is what's needed most., and if the council can move forward and come up with an ordinace that targets these areas of risk in an enforceable manner, then he would fully support that ordinance.

Going county by county with the