BUCHANAN – With a simple scratch of an ink pen, the mayor here waived the town’s COVID-19 rules for one very jolly person at their Dec. 14 council meeting.
Citing the avuncular-like Dr. Anthony Fauci, the knowledgeable voice and face of the pandemic, Mayor Craig Bryant and council issued a rare “Special Permit” proclamation granting Santa permission to deliver presents on Christmas Eve.
“Santa is exempt from COVID-19 because Santa, has all good qualities and has a lot of good innate immunity and is safe to travel this year,” said Fauci during interviews in his Brooklyn accent.
With the seal of approval from the CDC, Buchanan town leaders issued a proclamation that reads, “Due to Santa’s immunity, he will only be spreading joy this Christmas season and not COVID-19…”
In preparation for his arrival, the town — adults and children – will track his progress on The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) with an estimated time of arrival in Buchanan with an ETA of midnight, Dec. 24.
The proclamation continues town leaders grant permission of the Father Christmas “to deliver presents, gifts and joy in the Town of Buchanan this Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2020.”
However, the proclamation also urges citizens to continue their fight against COVID-19.
In other action, elementary schooler Gavin Price and his family received the Town of Buchanan Dedication Award. Gavin and his family collected around 1,400 jars of peanut butter during the year. That was enough sticky spread to cover the entire Botetourt County Backpack Buddy Program for an entire year.
The winners of Novembers town council were sworn in. Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk Tommy Moore administered the oath of office to Mayor Bryant, Vice-Mayor James Manspile and new Councilman Chris Petty.
Outgoing Councilmember John Mays was thanked by the mayor for his service on town council for the last two years and his four years on its planning commission. During the meeting, he received the town’s Commitment Award.
Council approved an additional holiday to its office closures. Starting in 2021, Sept. 11, known as Patriots Day, will be celebrated.
Finally, council unanimously approved a Transit-Oriented Development grant, TODS. This grant will provide the opportunity for tourist-oriented businesses in town to be reimbursed 100 percent for Interstate 81 directional signs if they meet the qualifications.
