(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Protective protocol or political punishment?

The latter seemed to be the majority pick at a Press Conference at the Beaver County Courthouse on Friday afternoon, where all three County Commissioners and other delegates vehemently chastised Governor Tom Wolf for not re-opening Beaver County, forcing it to stay in the “red zone” of strictest restrictions until at least May 15 and as long as June 4.

One by one the men up front took their shots, starting with Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp, who praised the workers at Brighton Health and Wellness for their efforts and reiterated that the PA Department of Health was failing:

 

Next was County Commissioner Jack Manning, who in his “data-driven” mindset, felt that what Governor Wolf’s plan has done is illogical and hurtful for business:

 

The last of the Commissioners, Tony Amadio, stood with his other board members in denouncing Governor Wolf’s action, saying that he can understand if Beaver County Citizens start to get upset:

 

State Representative Josh Kail was next, and he used the term “incompetence” bluntly and often to describe the execution of Governor Wolf’s plan:

 

Fellow Representative Jim Marshall followed, and he felt that the legislators were collectively unhappy and upset with the Governor’s decisions:

 

Lastly, Senator Elder Vogel spoke hastily displayed his agreement with his fellow County legislators, pointing out that having the surrounding counties open–along with past mistakes made by the Governor early in the pandemic–showcase the fallacy of the reopening plan.

 

Along with the outward frustrations, the point was made by Commissioner Dan Camp (and subsequently echoed by District Attorney David J. Lozier) that any business that does re-open, while following proper CDC guidelines for health and safety, would not face charges for restarting their business by the County.

Governor Wolf announced that Butler, Allegheny, and Washington counties would reopen on May 15.