Since the onset of the Covid-19 issue in South Carolina Mayor of Columbia Stephen Benjamin has used it for his own personal agendas.
In his latest use of the Covid-19 issue, Mayor Benjamin encouraged the City Council to hold an emergency meeting and ratified Ordinance 2021-068 which states, “that facial covering shall be required by all faculty, staff, children over the age of two (2), and visitors, in all buildings at public and private schools or daycares whose purpose is to educate and/or care for children between the ages of two (2) and fourteen (14).”
This ordinance is in direct violation of the State Provisio 1.108, which specifically states: “No school district, or any of its schools, may use any funds appropriated or authorized pursuant to this act to require that its students and/or employees wear a facemask at any of its educational facilities. This prohibition extends to the announcement or enforcement of any such policy.”
It would seem that Mayor Benjamin feels he is exempt from his own ordinances. We must remember that Mayor Benjamin also attempted to prevent sales of alcohol and firearms during the onset of Covid-19.
With the Mayoritorial election just around the corner, the question has arisen if Mayor Benjamin is what Columbia needs to move forward as a City and is he someone who will represent Columbia with a positive image.
on August 4th, 2021 an email was sent from a Local school advising students and parents that they would not be enforcing the City Ordinance 2021-068:
