Montco Town Moves To Reopen In Defiance Of State Orders

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A borough in Montgomery County that has largely avoided coronavirus infections thus far has moved towards passing a resolution on the local level to reopen nonessential businesses in the community, in direct defiance of orders from the state.

The move is being orchestrated by Pennsburg Mayor Vicki Lightcap, who has the support of borough council.

"The northwestern part of Montgomery County has always been considered a different part of the county," Lightcap said in an interview with Dom Giordano on the 1210 WPHT Tuesday, citing the impact of the restrictions on small businesses. "How can we not have compassion and empathy for our people?"

It remains unclear what level of enforcement, if any, might be imposed. Lightcap says they've "signaled" to businesses that they can reopen, and expects they will do so by the end of the month.

"I would hope that the community of Pennsburg would acknowledge their shared obligation to the Montgomery County community and behave in a way that protects the public's health," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said Wednesday.

While Montgomery County has been hit hard, Pennsburg has only three cases of coronavirus, as of Wednesday. Neighboring East Greenville has 11, and Red Hill has 5.

"I completely understand how angry and frustrated and anxious people are," Arkoosh added. "But this is not yet the time (to reopen). We have got to stay the course."

Arkoosh said that any enforcement would be on the level of the governor, because the orders to close nonessential businesses and to stay at home come from the state.

In places where social distancing has been ignored in businesses, the county is having the solicitor discuss the issues with business owners. Arkoosh said these conversations have been "productive" and resulted in a "much safer situation" at the establishments in question.

Montgomery County has 5,380 cases and 443 confirmed deaths from coronavirus as of Wednesday evening.