Rushville Historical Society

Thank you for the great response to Santa Sunday! Our event is fully booked. For those attending, a message from Santa!

Yates County Sheriff - Holiday Gatherings COVID 19 is a very serious disease and all New Yorkers should take it seriously. My Office has been doing what we can..., within the law and the Constitution, to help keep people safe during this pandemic. We continue to strongly urge everyone to use common sense and to follow guidance issued by state and federal health authorities. We have taken public health law civil enforcement action when appropriate and when supported by our county prosecutor. Recently the Governor issued an order limiting residential gatherings to no more than 10 individuals. He demands that Sheriffs, not his own State Police, enforce it. Unfortunately, what he has given us is not a criminal act, so we have no way to enforce. New Yorkers have a right to privacy in their homes and the right to be free of warrantless searches. We have not said we wouldn’t enforce public Health Laws, but we cannot count cars in driveways or go into citizens’ homes to see how many people are dining there. We must value and defend the rights of all as guaranteed under our state and US constitutions. We have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and Constitutional civil rights trumps any executive order. Legal counsel has advised caution in regard to private homes due to 4th amendment protections. We encourage all citizens to be responsible, and use their own best judgment on large gatherings in one’s home, and especially on masking, social distancing, and sanitation to stay safe and healthy as they celebrate gathering traditions or not. Please be responsible and protect yourselves and others until we can defeat this disease. Yates County Sheriff