Judge Executive Cannon Declares State Of Emergency In Edmonson County

Darren Doyle, story:
Edmonson County Judge Executive Wil Cannon signed a State of Emergency Declaration for Edmonson County earlier today as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Edmonson Voice obtained a copy of the text in the declaration as published below.

A State of Emergency simply means that the Judge Executive's office has the authority to take certain local emergency actions, should any become necessary, without the need for having to wait for state or federal approval.

​WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), beginning January 27, 2020; and  
WHEREAS, the Governor of Kentucky declared a State of Emergency on March 6, 2020 as it relates to the COVID19 outbreak; and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of Kentucky issued a court order on March 12, 2020 restricting attendance in all Kentucky Judicial Centers and Courthhouses; and
WHEREAS, President Trump declared a National Emergency as it relates to the COVID19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the COVID19 pandemic has resulted in the need for the Edmonson County Government to take emergency actions; and
WHEREAS, the Edmonson County Government and our partners across the community are working to coordinate with each other, and with federal, state and local agencies to provide the maximum effective response to this emergency; and
WHEREAS, these situations create a considerable hardship for the citizens of Edmonson County; and
WHEREAS, local government has the responsibility to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and to mitigate the effects of such events.
 
NOW THEREFORE, I Wilmer S. Cannon, Edmonson County Judge/Executive by the authority vested in me by KRS 39A.100 (2) do hereby declare that a State of Emergency exists in Edmonson County for the period beginning March 16, 2020, and continuing, and direct that:
 

1. The Local Emergency Operations Plan shall be fully executed.
2. The Emergency Management Director shall direct the Emergency Services to provide such assistance as can be delivered from available local resources and shall coordinate all agencies of local government to provide assistance to Edmonson County; and
3. All departments and agencies of Edmonson County, including all interlocal governmental agencies shall coordinate and cooperate to the fullest extent possible with Emergency Management, the Edmonson County Health Department, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and any federal agencies and shall provide such assistance as may be required for response to this emergency; and
4. Under this Sate of Emergency, as provided in KRS 39A.100 (2) the Judge/Executive can waive procedures and formalities otherwise by the law pertaining to: a) performance of public work, b) entering into contracts, c) incurring obligations, d) employment of permanent and temporary workers, e) utilization of volunteer workers, f) rental of equipment, g) appropriation and expenditure of public funds.

 
WHEREFORE, this Declaration of a local emergency in Edmonson County shall remain in effect until terminated by issuance of another Executive Order when determined that a state of emergency no longer exits, and the exercise of extraordinary measures are no longer required for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. 

Similar declarations are also made during large snowstorms or other weather and illness-related events when a large portion of the population can be affected. The declaration also allows agencies within the county, state, and federal level the ability to coordinate without what most would consider 'red tape' or actions that would otherwise delay cooperation.