Boone Council Removes Requirements For Visitors
Council reverses earlier decision by 4–1 vote Tuesday
BOONE-Visitors to Boone won’t have to self-isolate before going shopping. Facing a lawsuit over the issue, the town council reversed its earlier decision by a 4–1 vote Tuesday morning, saying they heard loud and clear what a majority of residents and businesses wanted. More than an hour of Tuesday’s meeting was spent in public comment, as town residents and business owners expressed their opinions. Some argued that the council needed to stand their ground and enforce the requirements. Others argued that doing so would damage local businesses, to the point some may never reopen.
“No business in Boone is going to make money this year,” said Justin Patel, owner of the Boone La Quinta, Sleep Inn and Super 8 hotels. We are all going to struggle to get by.”
His argument was backed up by a local tourism official, who told the council by restricting visitors, they hurt local residents.
“People need to work,” Wright Tilley, executive director of the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority, told the board. “They need money to feed their families and to keep a roof over their head.”
What is The Problem?
The issue stemmed from a decision the council made May 21. During that meeting, members voted 3–1, with council member Loretta Clawson absent, to ban out-of-county visitors from entering any establishments open to the public until they self-isolate in Watauga for 14 days. That meant anyone from Avery, Ashe or Wilkes who wanted to shop in one of the newly reopened stores would first have to isolate in a hotel room for two weeks, to prove they didn’t have COVID-19. But that would be hard to do, since hotels are also “establishments open to the public” and therefore blocked from accepting out-of-town visitors under the policy.
Concerned about the impact this would have on their businesses, Yates Travel owner Anne-Marie Yates, Mountain Resort Management LLC, Hospitality Group of Hickory and Smokey Mountain Hospitality LLC filed a lawsuit against the town. After going over the filing, Watauga County Superior Court Judge Gregory Horne signed a temporary restraining order on Friday, stopping the town council’s policy from taking effect until the case could be heard in court. Speaking during Tuesday’s meeting, attorney Nathan Miller said his clients felt they had no other option than to sue.
“They didn’t want to sue the town,” Miller said. “There was no money supply to help ensure their survival.”
Since Gov. Roy Cooper had said North Carolina would enter Reopening Phase II on May 22, the businesses allowed guests to book rooms. As a result, they were caught off guard by the council’s last minute change to the regulations. Miller argued that the town has to reopen to visitors, as it can’t stay shut down forever and expect businesses to survive. He acknowledged there would likely be spikes in new COVID-19 cases after guests start coming in, but felt people could be responsible. As an example, Miller pointed out there had been no hospitalizations in Boone since the pandemic started. That showed people could follow instructions and avoid infection.
Time For a Solution
Others who weighed in Tuesday for both sides argued that the numbers matter. As of Tuesday, there were 11 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Watauga County. People like Boone resident Pam Williamson argued this was because of measures like the 14-day required quarantine. She questioned why the council would make a decision on Friday and then suddenly reconsider days later because of a lawsuit. If the measure wasn’t worth fighting for, why adopt it? Saying she felt Tuesday’s meeting was pointless, as she believed council members had already made up their minds, Williamson used her time to talk to her fellow town residents.
“If your council lacks strength, character and moral clarity, it doesn’t serve you, it serves you up,” she said.
Ben Bagget, who owns the Boone Holiday Inn, told council members it’s time to stop polarizing the conversation and work toward a solution.
“There will inevitably be tradeoffs, moral and economic,” he said, adding that “the numbers matter.”
You shouldn’t shut down the town’s economy for a handful of cases, he argued. Otherwise, Boone would need to outlaw cars, as more people are hospitalized and killed in traffic accidents each year. Instead, he urged the council to remove the restrictions and work to find a better way to keep people safe, while also protecting businesses.
The majority of council members agreed, saying it was time for the town to move on. Council member Sam Furgiuele, who introduced the restrictions last week, cast the only dissenting vote. Furgiuele said he felt they were necessary to protect the health of local residents and didn’t see a reason to remove them.
Brian Carlton is the editor for NWNC. He can be reached at brian.carlton38@gmail.com.
