On a split vote the Adams County Commissioners voted to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the county and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, District Council 89, (AFSMCE) regarding the County’s COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive. The incentive states in part that “in an effort to reduce the public health risk of disease while maintaining respect for individual choice [the county] will extend to all employees within the AFSCME bargaining unit who provide the county with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status one (1) extra paid time-off day.”
Commissioners Phiel and Qually voted to approve the MOU, but Commissioner Martin voted against it.
Qually passionately promoted the motion, saying “We have 200 people who have died. This is a voluntary incentive program. We all know someone that is high risk. My wife is high risk. I don’t know what I would do if I brought this home and killed my wife.”
Phiel said “Our Paramount responsibility is to help the welfare and safety of our residents. I agree that this is showing leadership, this is not a mandate. This is a step to enhance public safety without mandating.”
Martin said he thought the vaccine could cause adverse reactions in those that have natural immunity before voting against it.
The commissioners also proclaimed October 17 to 23, 2021 as the “YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County Week without Violence”. This week is designed to bring awareness to physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse against women. According to the proclamation, one in four women experience domestic violence, more than three women are murdered each day by their current or former partner across the country, every 90 seconds another American is sexually assaulted, and immigrant women, women of Color, women with disabilities, and LGBTQ communities face heightened risk of violence and greater barriers to legal remedies. The YWCA has advocated for this week for over 20 years.
The commissioners also joined with a long-standing national violence awareness movement by proclaiming August the “YWCA Hanover Safe Home – Adams County Domestic Violence Awareness Month.” The proclamation states in part that “We, the Commissioners of Adams County…are calling on our citizens, churches, human services organizations, schools, and businesses to educate themselves and others, and to become involved in efforts to prevent and respond to domestic violence in our community.”
Other Approved Recommendations:
- Court Administration-$15.00 per report for mandated credit checks for law enforcement officers to KlinkCheck Background Services.
- Children & Youth Services
- Purchase of Service Agreement with Pressley Ridge and Alternative Rehabilitation Communities.
- Business Associate Agreement with Community Specialist Corporation and Summit School.
- Agricultural Land Preservation: $220,440.87 for 110.83 acres for county only conservation easement for Wayne Mummert, 693 Peepytown Road East Berlin PA.
- Tax Services:
- Six personal tax exemption requests approved
- Two Veterans Real Property Tax Exemptions approved.
- $1,059.00 with Print-O-Stat Inc. full service maintenance for one year
- Human Resources- $2,016.00 for 3 year term for online training courses on Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazardous Materials, Proper Lifting Techniques and Slips, Trips, and Falls.
- Adams County Adult Correctional Complex: decrease the calling rate charged to inmates from $0.24 cents a minute to $0.21 cents per minute.
- Commissioner’s Office: The Adams County Water Tower Repainting Contract is held with Corrosion Control Corporation as a result of being the lowest bidder.
Jenine Weaver is a staff writer for the Connection. She grew up and currently resides in Adams County PA. She is the founder of Weaver Accounting Solutions LLC and a mom of 4 children. She enjoys being involved with the community, the school, town meetings, local fundraisers, and she is an advocate of social justice with Voices Unite in GAC.
“Natural immunity” does not replace vaccination.
Great gesture, Commissioners and Union. Thank you.