Aiken County Council resolution criticizes COVID-19 vaccination requirements

Oct. 20—Aiken County Council addressed the COVID-19 vaccination controversy during its meeting Tuesday at the Aiken County Government Center.

The panel of elected officials approved a resolution that, according to its language, "condemns the Biden Administration for the imposition of a vaccination mandate by Executive Order, and not through legislative action in our representative republic, that imposes extreme penalties for the failure to comply ... without the assurance of due process of law in every instance."

The resolution also describes the legality of the mandate as "doubtful."

In addition, the resolution states that County Council is asking "local employers impacted by this mandate to treat those seeking medical and religious accommodations equally and without placing undue burdens of conscience on their skilled, experienced, loyal and dedicated workforce."

The executive order issued last month by President Joe Biden calls for the vaccination of all federal employees, "subject to such exceptions as required by law." There also is similar requirement for the employees of federal contractors.

In another action that wasn't part of the executive order, Biden directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to write rules requiring private companies with 100 or more employees to ensure that their workers are vaccinated or regularly tested.

The rules haven't been finalized yet.

Meanwhile, there have been legal challenges to Biden's approach to fighting the novel coronavirus, including a lawsuit brought by 79 Savannah River Nuclear Solutions workers against their employer, a Department of Energy contractor at the Savannah River Site.

County Council's vote in favor of the resolution was 6-1, with Willar Hightower, who represents District 8 dissenting.

Camille Furgiuele, who represents District 2, abstained, and Chairman Gary Bunker recused himself.

Kelley Mobley, who represents District 4, and Vice Chairman Andrew Siders, who represents District 7, were the cosponsors of the resolution.

Mobley said he came up with the idea for the resolution and asked Siders to join him in asking County Council to consider it.

"Even though we don't have any authority over the federal government and they're supreme to us, I think it important to for us to acknowledge that there are people that are adversely affected and families that are hurting in our community because of the mandate," Mobley said.

Siders described the resolution as "basically a statement saying that we do not agree with or endorse mandates for vaccinations because we feel that America is a free country and you should have the right not to vaccinate if you feel that you should not for any reason."

Also Tuesday, County Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to change the zoning for 1,125 tax parcels in the Graniteville area from Rural Development (RUD) to Limited Development (LD), Residential Single-Family Conservation (RC) or Residential Multifamily Development (RD).

In all, 2,146 acres would be rezoned.

The swath of land includes property along Addie Road, Crystal Springs Road, Sudlow Lake Road, Sudlow Lane and Williamson Drive.

A public hearing was held prior to County Council's vote, but nobody spoke either for or against the ordinance.

Three readings are required for final approval.

In addition, County Council unanimously approved a resolution that authorizes Bunker or County Administrator Clay Killian to sign a letter that would facilitate the financing of a new aerial ladder truck for the Graniteville-Vaucluse-Warrenville Fire Department. There will be no financial obligation on the part of the county.