Gaston County Chair Tracy Philbeck says "legally the law expects them to follow" the stay at home order. 
Philbeck: "We are going to stand with businesses that want to reopen." He says "if you have a business and you open up, I will gladly come."
Philbeck says barber shops and nail salons are governed by state boards and he recommends they seek guidance before opening.
"If you open up your nail salon, my wife will probably come. If you open up a restaurant, I will come and eat."
"If you open up your nail salon, my wife will probably come. If you open up a restaurant, I will come and eat."
Philbeck: "This is not something we are doing for political reasons"
Philbeck: "I am willing to take a stand to defy the Governor's order because I think it is unconstitutional."
Chair Tracy Philbeck is currently on Facebook taking questions from Gaston County residents facebook.com/watch/live/?v=…
Philbeck says he hasn't heard from Governor Cooper but he saw a tweet from his comm team saying the state's order supersedes Gaston's. Philbeck says that's where the disagreement is. "The Gaston County Commission, we have our gloves on, we are going to take that fight up"
Philbeck says he will be arrested with any business owners that defy the Governor's order and open up.
Philbeck says the position of Gaston County Commission is "people you are smarter than us." He says people can self police.
"Whether you are a flea market or barber shop, you should be able to go to work."
"Whether you are a flea market or barber shop, you should be able to go to work."
"Law enforcement is going to enforce the law." - Philbeck
He says it is possible if you open your business, "the Governor could send his people to shut it down." He says if that happens, he will stand with the business owners
He says it is possible if you open your business, "the Governor could send his people to shut it down." He says if that happens, he will stand with the business owners
Philbeck says he is not worried about Mecklenburg residents flooding into Gaston County to visit businesses that are open.
Philbeck says churches can have services as long as they practice social distancing and have strict hygiene guidelines
Philbeck says Gaston County is looking at ways to sue Governor Roy Cooper #ncpol
"You're going to see a lot of people backtrack. That's their prerogative. Anyone who knows me knows that's not who I am." - Philbeck
Philbeck says he doesn't think his statements at the press conference contradicted the order
