Heflin Mayor Rudy Rooks has written Governor Kay Ivey’s administration asking for a waiver of restrictions in her new public health order for his city.
The City of Heflin posted a letter containing his request to its social media page on Wednesday.
The East Alabama city, whose website greets visitors with the slogan “Open Space, Perfect Pace!”, believes its ability to social distance, and a near total lack of COVID-19 cases, make some restrictions in Ivey’s latest order inapplicable to Heflin’s current situation.
Ivey’s “Safer at Home” order goes into effect Thursday at 5:00 p.m. The order permits elective medical procedures and most retail businesses to open and operate at 50% capacity. Worship services, barbershops, salons, gyms and in-person dining at restaurants remain closed.
Alabama legislators heaped praise on Ivey following the announcement of her new order on Tuesday.
Since that time, Rooks is the second mayor to publicize a direct request to the governor’s office for relief under the order. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson asked Ivey to allow barbershops, salons and restaurants to open after meeting with area business owners.
In his letter to State Health Officer Scott Harris, Rooks said he believes statewide application of the order is no longer necessary. He writes, “What may be required for a place like Birmingham or Montgomery may not be applicable to a more rural city like Heflin at this time.”
Citing the need for cities and counties to have flexibility to handle their unique circumstances, Rooks asked Ivey and Harris for the ability to open the city’s restaurants, gyms and close contact personal service providers under specific safety guidelines.
Last week, a collection of elected officials from Autauga and Elmore Counties asked Governor Ivey for similar flexibility in handling her public health orders.
Read the entirety of Rooks’ letter here:
Tim Howe is an owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia
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