Could Atwater be a ‘sanctuary city’ for business amid COVID-19? Council to consider idea
The City of Atwater is considering becoming a sanctuary city — but not in the way you may think.
City Council on Monday discussed how Atwater could be a sanctuary city for small businesses to operate amid state-mandated closures during the coronavirus pandemic.
It was Councilmember Brian Raymond who floated the idea, which appears to have gotten some traction. A special meeting will now be held Friday at 12 p.m. in the Atwater City Council chambers regarding a sanctuary city resolution, City Manager Lori Waterman said.
“We can have a sanctuary city for illegals, a sanctuary city for anything,” Raymond said. “Why don’t we become a sanctuary city for small business?”
Raymond told the Sun-Star he got the idea after speaking to a friend prior to attending the City Council meeting. He had been thinking about additional ways to protect small businesses after County Supervisor Daron McDaniel’s idea to declare