HERE HERE!
Bravo to a man who understands the Constitution and is fighting “FOR THE PEOPLE” not against them.
That would be Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols of Maine.
A battle is brewing between the County and the State of Maine after Maine’s Democrat Governor Janet Mills issued a very strict “stay at home” order.
Here are more details on the Governor’s Order, from the Maine Press Herald:
Anyone arriving in Maine is being ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days, and hotels and other lodging operations have been forced to shut down to curtail visitors from outside the state.
Gov. Janet Mills issued an executive order Friday mandating that anyone who comes to Maine, regardless of where they live, must self-quarantine for 14 days to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus infection. Anyone found in violation can be charged with a Class E crime and subject to a penalty of up to six months in jail and $1,000 fine, though Mills said she hoped compliance would be voluntary.
The order also mandates the suspension of all lodging operations, including hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, inns and short-term rentals, as well as RV parks and campgrounds. Lodging operators who violate the order will be “subject to appropriate penalties,” according to the news release announcing the order.
The order for travelers to self-quarantine comes amid flaring tensions caused by people from other states coming to Maine to wait out the health crisis. On March 27, several people cut down a tree and blocked the road to a home on Vinalhaven, to force visitors from another state to self-quarantine. Maine State Police issued a statement Wednesday warning that it’s unacceptable to confront people from other states over concerns about COVID-19.
In a release announcing the order, Mills said its aim is to prevent the state’s health care system from “being overwhelmed.” The order is effective immediately and extends until at least April 30, though the lodging shutdown becomes effective Sunday at noon.
“We must all do our part,” Mills said in the release. “These actions will protect the health and safety of everyone.”
Maine law enforcement agencies are ready to enforce the executive order, but expect that out-of-staters will voluntarily comply, the way Mainers have been complying with Mills’ stay-at-home order, said Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. But if there are reports of “blatant” violations, law enforcement will investigate, McCausland said.
The executive order also instructs visitors not to travel to Maine if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and not to come to Maine if they are traveling from cities or areas that have been identified as infection hot spots.
Mills directed the Maine Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority and and other state agencies to post the self-quarantine order at all major points of entry into the state. Mills’ order exempts anyone providing essential services.
Maine has more than 1,400 businesses with lodging licenses, said Greg Dugal, director of government affairs for HospitalityMaine, a statewide restaurant and lodging industry group. But some of those are seasonal and not open yet, while those that have stayed open are seeing occupancy rates “in the single digits,” he said.
Turns out that didn't sit too well with Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols, who took to Facebook to pen his disagreement.
He posted his comments on the official Sheriff's Facebook Page.
See it here:
In case you can't see that from Facebook, here is the FULL TEXT:
A message from the Sheriff regarding the latest Executive Order
We will not be setting up a Police State. PERIOD.
The Sheriff’s Office will not purposefully go out and stop vehicles because they are on the road or stop and ask why people are out and about. To do so puts our officers at risk. This is not Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia where you are asked for your papers!
What we will take action on, if needed – are those rare situations where there are a lot of people overtly hanging out in public – obviously in defiance of the Governor’s order. Even in that case – we will first educate and try to disperse the group. We will avoid arrests unless absolutely necessary.
Please use common sense during this executive order. We are more interested in the safety and well-being of the public as well as our officers at this time. With that being said, we are sworn to uphold the Constitution and laws of the State - for any unlawful act/situation, arrestees will be taken into custody and transported for fingerprinting and bail.
The best way to approach the coming days is to treat everyone as though they have the virus. Follow strict CDC guidelines and recommendations, use masks if needed, wash your hands frequently, disinfect, wear gloves and use common sense in all situations. The longer we do NOT follow these guidelines, the longer we wait in isolation.
Most of you are doing a fantastic job – we appreciate that! Please look out for one another, especially the elderly and shut ins. Please be a good neighbor/citizen always showing compassion. Please be kind especially on social media, negativity online only adds to the stress people are currently experiencing.
Thank you for your great attitudes and your continued support of the Sheriff’s Office. Remember this is temporary, if you have any questions please contact us at the Sheriff’s Office 207-778-2680.
Sheriff Scott Nichols
“Of the People, For the People”
And in case that post gets taken down, here is the screenshot:
By all accounts it appears to be the official Facebook Page and not a fake:
Reaction has been VERY positive in favor of the Sheriff:
The Maine Examiner had more details:
Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols wants to make one thing clear, his department will not be “setting up a police state” to enforce Governor Janet Mills’ stay-at-home order issued yesterday. Nichols is clearly mindful of the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, but plans to use discretion in enforcing the Governor’s measure.
In a written statement, Sheriff Nichols, one of Maine’s sixteen county sheriffs said, “We will not be setting up a Police State. PERIOD.
The Sheriff’s Office will not purposefully go out and stop vehicles because they are on the road or stop and ask why people are out and about. To do so puts our officers at risk. This is not Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia where you are asked for your papers!”
His statement goes on to explain that what the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department will focus on is “rare situations where there are a lot of people overtly hanging out in public – obviously in defiance of the Governor’s order.”
Even then, Sheriff Nichols says, they will try to educate people first and “will avoid arrests unless absolutely necessary.”
He also reminded residents that his team is “more interested in the safety and well-being of the public as well as our officers at this time. With that being said, we are sworn to uphold the Constitution and laws of the State – for any unlawful act/situation, arrestees will be taken into custody and transported for fingerprinting and bail.”
The Sheriff’s statement was made the morning after Governor Janet Mills’ latest announcement, a stay at home order from April 2 through April 30.
Mills’ order provides a host of exceptions to allow individuals to travel to essential services and stores, such as grocery stores, and to care for family members.
Sheriff Nichols added, “The best way to approach the coming days is to treat everyone as though they have the virus. Follow strict CDC guidelines and recommendations, use masks if needed, wash your hands frequently, disinfect, wear gloves and use common sense in all situations. The longer we do NOT follow these guidelines, the longer we wait in isolation.
Most of you are doing a fantastic job – we appreciate that! Please look out for one another, especially the elderly and shut ins. Please be a good neighbor/citizen always showing compassion. Please be kind especially on social media, negativity online only adds to the stress people are currently experiencing.”
If you'd like to see more from the Sheriff, here he is in action in a Press Conference from last year:
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