RANGELY | Three Rangely residents have drafted two “sanctuary resolutions” for the Rangely Board of Trustees to consider and one for the Rio Blanco County Commissioners.
Following review by a local “focus group,” residents Elaine Urie, Dan Eddy and Susie Berardi of Rangely, drafters of the proposed resolutions, have presented a COVID-19 Sanctuary Resolution and a Constitutional Sanctuary Resolution to the Rangely Board of Trustees. Town Manager Lisa Piering submitted the drafts to the Rangely Town Attorney and has been given consent to proceed. The draft for the county — a Constitutional Sanctuary Resolution — was presented to the commissioners Tuesday.
The language of the resolutions is as follows:
The COVID-19 Sanctuary Resolution, A RESOLUTION REASSERTING THE RIGHTS OF THE TOWN OF RANGELY AND ITS RESIDENTS AND CONDEMNING THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS IMPOSED UPON THEIR FREEDOMS BY THE GOVERNOR OF COLORADO, asserts that the Town of Rangely 1) will not abide by any executive orders limiting attendance of and free speech at public meetings within the Town; 2) does not support COVID restrictions that would shut down businesses in the Town; 3) calls upon the Governor to take all necessary steps to prevent harm to local businesses and minimize the harm of the unconstitutional orders by reclassifying every business as an essential business; 4) calls upon each business and individual to determine for themselves the level to which they desire to comply, in their best interests, with the Governor’s unconstitutional orders; and 5) calls upon patrons to use their best judgment when entering any store and feel free to walk away if they do not feel safe based on their underlying health conditions.
The Town of Rangely Constitutional Sanctuary Resolution, A CONSTITUTIONAL SANCTUARY RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF RANGELY BOARD OF TRUSEES, in which the Town of Rangely Board of Trustees 1) declares the Town of Rangely, Rio Blanco County, Colorado, as a “Constitutional Sanctuary” and expresses its intent to uphold the Constitution and other clearly established rights of the People of the Town of Rangely, Rio Blanco County, Colorado; 2) expresses its intent that no Town of Rangely funds will be used to restrict the Constitutional rights and other clearly established rights of the Town of Rangely, and that no Town funds shall be expended to aid federal or state agencies in the restriction of said rights; 3) states that no Town of Rangely employees, government funds, resources, agencies, contractors, buildings, detention centers, or offices may be used for the purpose of enforcing laws that unconstitutionally infringe on the Bill of Rights, Constitutional Rights, and other clearly established rights of the People; 4) supports local law enforcement who support the clearly established rights of the People; and directs its Chief of Police to not assist any state law enforcement officer, state health agent or federal agent attempting to enforce the unconstitutional order of the Governor; and 5) the Town of Rangely employees may not assist in or promote the enforcement of the Governor’s Executive Orders, as amended; nor any other Executive Orders that purport to limit or direct the free exercise of religion; peaceable assembly; free engagement in commerce; free movement of persons; nor any other individual liberty recognized as belonging to the People.
The Rio Blanco County Constitutional Sanctuary Resolution, A CONSTITUTIONAL COUNTY SANCTUARY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF RIO BLANCO COUNTY COLORADO, declares
1) Rio Blanco County, Colorado, as a “Constitutional County Sanctuary” and expresses its intent to uphold the Constitution and other clearly established rights of the People of Rio Blanco County, Colorado; 2) states that no Rio Blanco County funds will be used to restrict the Constitutional rights nor be expended to aid federal or state agencies in the restriction of said rights; 3) states that no Rio Blanco County employees, government funds, resources, agencies, contractors, buildings, detention centers, or offices may be used for the purpose of enforcing laws that unconstitutionally infringe on the Bill of Rights, Constitutional Rights, and other clearly established rights of the People; 4) states that the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners supports local law enforcement who support the clearly established rights of the People; and requests its Sheriff to not assist any state law enforcement officer, state health agent or federal agent attempting to enforce the unconstitutional order of the Governor; and 5) states that Rio Blanco County employees may not assist in or promote the enforcement of the Governor’s Executive Orders, as amended; nor any other Executive Orders that purport to limit or direct the free exercise of religion; peaceable assembly; free engagement in commerce; free movement of persons; nor any other individual liberty recognized as belonging to the People.
A copy of the resolutions may be requested by contacting Elaine Urie ([email protected]).
Special to the Herald Times