Mask Ordinance Debate Continues at LG Council

During the summer, when the State of Texas imposed face covering rules because of the pandemic (masks are required in public when six feet of social distancing is not possible, though there are a number of exceptions), the City of La Grange passed a local ordinance “affirming” the state ruling.

Both the city and state ordinances are still in effect, but Fayette County Judge Joe Weber has applied for and been granted the ability to opt out of that ordinance, though he has yet to make the decision to opt out (with the massive antiques markets going on in northern Fayette County being cited as one of the reasons for waiting to lift the order).

At Monday’s council meeting, La Grange mayor Janet Moerbe said the city would lift their order when the county does.

“We’ve been working with the county and following their lead,” Moerbe said.

Five residents addressed the council Monday, Matt and Katie Hamborsky of West Point, William and Brianne Bernsen of Plum and Polly Cisneros of O’Quinn.

All five said they were opposed to the mask ordinance and gave several reasons why, including how they thought the ordinance was unconstitutional and people should have the freedom to choose.

“I do appreciate that you came,” Moerbe told the speakers. “Everything we’ve done is to protect. We don’t try to overgovern ... We were responding to a need.”