City of Napavine staff with the mayor and city councilmembers
Cities in South Lewis County are starting to stop the mandates by Governor Jay Inslee, Winlock passed a Proclamation and now Napavine has signed Resolution NO.21.09.120. The resolution is stated below:
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Emergency ProclamationNo. 20-05 declaring a state of emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Health has stated that the COVID-19vaccines do not prevent a person from being infected with COVID-19 nor do they prevent an infected vaccinated person from spreading the virus to another person; and
WHEREAS, on August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 21-14, mandating that all state employees, healthcare workers, contractors and volunteers that do work for any kind of healthcare setting must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before October 18, 2021, or face termination of employment; and
WHEREAS, the US Supreme Court has ruled that "Even if either the federal or a state government is acting with its authority to respond to COVID-19, a state of emergency does not give it free rein to violate constitutional rights; and
WHEREAS, Section 1 of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution states: "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws", and
WHEREAS, RCW 9A.04.110 states, "Threat" means to communicate, directly or indirectly the intent: (h) To take wrongful action as an official against anyone or anything or wrongfully withhold official action, or cause such action or withholding; or (j) To do any other act which is intended to harm substantially the person threatened or another with respect to his or her health, safety, business, financial condition, or personal relations"; and
WHEREAS, the authority given to the Washington Governor, under RCW 43.06.220, does not provide him/her with the authority to terminate, or threaten another person exercising their rights with termination from their employment or to order private entities and/or employers to terminate the employment of citizens exercising their lawful rights; and
WHEREAS, every city employee and citizen who wants a vaccine possesses the right to obtain one, but no vaccine should be mandated or required by law; and
WHEREAS, people have the right to refuse vaccination based on religious, medical, or personal reasons, and every medical intervention requires informed consent and the right of refusal, including the COVID-19 vaccine; and
WHEREAS, private health information on vaccine status should not be requested or required by any government mandate, educational institution, or private business operating in places of public accommodation; and
WHEREAS COVID-19 mandates will create a two-tiered society, where some people will have rights, and others will lose their freedom.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Napavine, Washington, we hereby issue this resolution expressing our obligation to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Washington and to stand in solidarity with our city employees and the people of Napavine and anyone else in the State who is being threatened by an overreaching government. We also express our support for Napavine and Washington State residents who make the personal choice not to follow the State's unconstitutional mandates.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED by this resolution in the defense of individual liberty, the City of Napavine will not mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for any City employees. Just like the flu shot, our city employees' choice to get vaccinated, or not, is theirs and theirs alone.
Napavine Mayor Shawn O'Neill stated, "The timing was right for the city to do this and stand up for the rights of our employees to make the right choice for them and their families. Several employees noticed what was happening in federal, and state agencies and expressed concern that the over-reach would put them in a position of choosing the vaccine or losing their job. The resolution also makes it clear that the City will stand for its employees to be vaccinated or not!"
Mayor Pro Tem Laverne Haslett stated, "The city considered a resolution on the 28th that was met with 100% approval of the council and the audience... Cheers were given when the city council unanimously adopted Resolution #09-21-120. Nothing is as important to we, the citizens, today, than to maintain the freedoms afforded to us by God and represented as such in the Declaration of Independence 'the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'"