Chester County Pa.’s borough of West Chester is known for its quaint downtown area, nearby West Chester University, and a host of excellent eateries. It is also becoming known as a platform for local politicians to exert power over the residents without regard for their personal liberties, and in some cases, ignoring our Pennsylvania Constitution.
While our state has relatively low cases of the novel virus, the borough area did experience a rise in infections recently. Much of this increase was centered on college-age people, so it was assumed that returning students were the major cause.
The mayor decided that this was a problem that needed to be solved by government and declared a state of emergency (practically unheard of for a town the size of West Chester). The mayor informed the residents that if the police caught anyone violating mask or assembly rules, they would be fined $300 per infraction. Many people have pointed out that this all exceeds the authority of a mayor, is largely unenforceable, and that even this declaration can only be in place for a matter of days, unless extended through lawful means. In other words, this is likely a publicity event to support the mayor’s effort to seek higher office. The mayor actually went on TV news and complained about being disappointed that only a $300 fine was permitted, when a much higher one would have been desirable.
Does West Chester Borough have a problem with college students spreading disease? If they do, is it the government’s job to address the problem? Why wouldn’t the first choice to have been to seek assistance from the college itself? This is the institution that gives classes, issues degrees, approves fraternities, and collects thousands of dollars in fees from the students and their families. Surely this would have been a logical first step, after all, WCU is a school, and instructing students is what they do.
While many on social media have pointed out that the mayor has acted irresponsibly in this case, there are some who have applauded the effort – happy to shut down businesses and fine patrons who do not follow the rules they prefer. This is another sad example of what happens when politicians inflame the fears of the public so that the citizens willingly give up their rights, and look the other way when authority is exceeded.
And this works great for the politicians.
The borough has become a great spawning ground for power-hungry people who follow the orders of their party to achieve personal gain. A mayor becomes a state Representative. The State Representative becomes a State Senator. The Senator moves on to a national position, and then eventually may become governor. Pennsylvania has one of the most dictatorial leaders in the country, flaunting laws even when ordered by the courts to follow our constitution. These people do not need a constitution. They need fearful citizens willing to trade in their rights at any time.
Both major parties pull stunts like this mayor is doing. Because this is not about leadership, it is about power. Get it, hold it, never let go. This is why the Libertarian Part of Chester County is backing Jo Jorgensen for president, along with state candidates Daniel Wasserman for Attorney General, Jennifer Moore for Auditor General, and Joseph Soloski as State Treasurer. These are people who are working towards less intrusive government, and one that adheres to our Federal and State constitutions. Perhaps West Chester’s mayor can contact WCU and take a course on civics, in order to treat the residents with the freedom and respect they deserve.