Here s how some Lancaster County boroughs and townships have responded to the resolution.
Wants a county health department
Denver Borough
Denver Borough Council members joined other local officials calling on Lancaster County to establish a county health department, which county commissioners have been reluctant to do so far, despite a yearlong pandemic.
During their meeting on March 29, council members offered informal support to the March 8 letter and resolution initiated by Manheim Township to create a county health department. Borough Council did not take a formal vote on the resolution.
Councilperson Todd Stewart, who said heâs not always one for more government, pointed out that a county health department could have been useful with the pandemic.
What happened: Supervisors discussed and voted 3-0 against the creation of a county health department.
Why it matters: Manheim Township Board of Commissioners sent a letter to all county municipalities and school boards last month to convince Lancaster County commissioners to create a health department. Chair Tom Willig said Strasburg Township received the letter.
Not in the position: Willig said he believed the township is not in the position to make a decision to endorse a countywide health department. He said county commissioners discussing the issue at their meetings is more appropriate than supervisors voting to promote it.
Supervisorsâ comments: âWhat would (a county health department) do for the people?â Supervisor Peggy Dearolf asked. Vice Chair Mike Weaver said he would not vote for âsomething that they (Lancaster County) canât tell me what itâs going to do,â adding he needed âhard facts.â
Lancaster City Council is officially weighing in on Lancaster Countyâs lack of a health department.
Council members at a Monday committee meeting considered a resolution supporting the creation of a county health department and moved the resolution out of committee and onto councilâs April 13 agenda.
The Manheim Township Board of Commissioners passed a similar resolution last month and then sent it to every school district and municipality in Lancaster County, urging them to do the same.
Lancaster City Council President Ismail Smith-Wade-El said he asked the city clerk to draft a resolution similar to Manheim Townshipâs but with some adjustments. Those included adding a reference to a study conducted by Franklin & Marshall College, which was partially funded by the United Way of Lancaster County and indicated strong support for a public health department.
More municipalities are joining Manheim Township in calling on Lancaster County to create a health department.
On Monday, Denver Borough officials offered informal support to the issue and said they would hold a vote on a formal resolution in the future.
In Columbia Borough, where a vote on a resolution will be taken later this month, council President Heather Zink said last week that âwith the pandemic, we need to have something on a local level.â She also cited a health departmentâs potential impact on much-needed mental health services.
And in the county seat, Lancaster City Council is planning to hold a vote Monday on a resolution that council President Ismail Smith-Wade-El expects will pass unanimously.
Lancaster County residents don t just want a county health department — they need one [editorial] lancasteronline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lancasteronline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.