Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced Thursday he is suing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms over the city’s mask mandate, claiming the measure violates his emergency orders. South Fulton Mayor William “Bill” Edwards is calling the lawsuit “unjustified” and “just plain wrong.”
South Fulton recently passed a similar mask mandate before Gov. Kemp declared that all local measures to enforce the wearing of masks were unenforceable.
“I join with mayors from all over Georgia who stand up and govern in manner for which they were elected,” Edwards said in a statement. “This has gone too far and infringes on our rights to govern as we promised to with a top priority of ensuring the health and welfare of our constituents. That is exactly what I will continue to do, no matter what executive order is issued.”
Mayor Edwards is still continuing to encourage South Fulton residents to wear a mask when in public, stay at home unless it is necessary to venture out and practice social distancing. He is also calling on business owners and managers to not allow entry to patrons who are not wearing masks.
“I am fed up with this mess,” he said. “I’ve had enough. Yet I stand strengthened in my resolve to work every day to ensure the safety of the residents of the City of South Fulton.”
Photo: Mayor William “Bill” Edwards (Credit: City of South Fulton)