It appears I need to do a Tybee beach post since accurately answering constituent questions today has obviously caused a great deal of misinformation to spread. So, I am going to be very clear because indeed, some are intentionally misrepresenting my position. That can be verified by Mayor Sessions and others on city council.
The Executive Order is an Executive function. It is a separate branch of government from the legislative branch. The Executive Order was issue by the... Governor. It was not issued by legislators. The EO rescinds all local COVID 19 orders in place previously. This Order was issued late last PM. Early this AM, I notified Mayor Sessions that this would impact the beach in that it was not expressly closed in the new order. Indeed, I contacted the DNR Commissioner early this AM to understand the matter. He explained that it would allow exercise on the beach by individuals/family groups but NO congregating. Moreover, he explained that Rangers were to be patrolling the beach to enforce strict social distancing.
Accordingly, I began answering numerous constituent contacts accurately based on the order. Moreover, I contacted the Mayor to advise of how to address the issue with the Governors office and the DNR. I then contacted he Governors office to explain the depth of concern that was likely to come from the issue due to spring break etc. I offered the Mayor and council members who I spoke with my support of local government and advised them to make a petition to the Governors office.
Everything I just described is in following with my authority. I did not and cannot make or change the order. I chose to educate my constituents and local government leaders in the matter prior to the weekend. At NO time have I advocated for the “opening of the beach”. Indeed, to the contrary, the only commitment I have made is to help the local government advocate their position once they prepare it.
I hope this very clearly helps to explain the situation as it stands. I understand that people are highly stressed now but the vitriol is unwarranted. Let’s at least agree to discuss the facts as they are. The facts related to my involvement are above. I stand by my actions to support my community and will continue to follow through on the commitments I made this morning.