Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has a problem.

In his December 14, 2020 Executive Order Number Seventy-Two, Northam imposed the following:

    1. MODIFIED STAY AT HOME ORDER

All individuals in Virginia should remain at their place of residence between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Individuals may leave their residences for the purposes of:

    1. Obtaining food, beverages, goods, or services as permitted in this Order;
    2. Seeking medical attention, essential social services, governmental services, assistance from law enforcement, or emergency services;
    3. Taking care of other individuals or animals;
    4. Traveling required by court order or to facilitate child custody, visitation, or child care;
    5. Engaging in exercise, provided individuals comply with social distancing requirements;
    6. Traveling to and from one’s residence, place of worship, or work;
    7. Traveling to and from an educational institution;
    8. Volunteering with organizations that provide charitable or social services; or
    9. Leaving one’s residence due to a reasonable fear for health or safety, at the direction of law enforcement, or at the direction of another government agency.

The Governor’s rationale for the draconian, non-sensical mandate was that “nothing good happens after midnight”­—a concept imbued in him by his parents.

Since the command was issued, several Virginia law enforcement agencies have publicly stated that they will not enforce Northam’s order.

Strangely silent on the issue was Albemarle County, whose citizens were left in limbo as to the County’s intent.

Now, in response to a citizen inquiry, a quiet, unpublicized decision has been reached by County Executive, Jeff Richardson:

Thank you very much for your question. Governor Northam announced last Thursday Executive Order 72, which includes the modified stay at home order, in place daily from midnight to 5 am. I am providing a link to the full text below because you’ll see in reading it that the modified stay at home order states that “all individuals in Virginia should remain at their place of residence…” In consultation with the County Attorney’s Office and in reviewing the Governor’s and his administration’s public comments on this question, “should” is not legally enforceable language – this order relies on voluntary compliance, which is strongly encouraged in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. ACPD is not directed through this Executive Order or through local leadership to stop individuals not observing the curfew, but where ACPD is called or initiates service during this time window, the officer will educate individuals about the curfew.

In short, Albemarle County Police will not be enforcing the Governor’s curfew.

While Albemarle County residents are well served by Richardson’s conclusion regarding Ralph Northam’s unenforceable, tyrannical diktat, such decisions do no public good if not shared publicly.

Albemarle County citizens would be better served by a County Executive who was proactive in protecting them and their rights from the narcissistic maniac inhabiting the Virginia Governor’s Mansion.

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