MOHAVE COUTY – Passionate mask mandate debates have raged during tri state area city council, school board and other meetings and have divided friends and family through recent months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohave County is now providing a public forum for the topic on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Supervisor Gary Watson suggested a “town hall” or “public workshop” style meeting to attempt to clear up misinformation regarding the county mask policy, and how it differs from requirements that have been very contentious in area municipalities.
“I think there’s a lot of people who are confused by what we want and what the cities have required and what they’re not requiring now, and I think it would just be good to have that information clear and precise,” Watson told supervisors during their special board meeting in Kingman.
Supervisor Hildy Angius said she believes it’s a little late for such an event. “Personally, I think it’s time to get rid of the mask mandate,” she said. Angius asked Watson what the purpose of the meeting will be.
“I think it would be beneficial for the board to hear from our constituents and that way we can field questions and possibly we can answer these questions with some satisfaction,” Watson said. “Mohave County is only requiring masks in Mohave County buildings and that is to protect our people that provide essential services to the public, and we’re not requiring that as part of our mandate for people to wear masks throughout the unincorporated areas of Mohave County. So, I’m hoping to make that point clear.”
Angius cast the sole dissenting vote as the Board approved Watson’s proposal to conduct the mask mandate informational meeting in place of the COVID-19 management session scheduled to begin at noon on Oct. 22. She then made a motion to rescind the county building face covering requirement.
Angius and supervisor Ron Gould dissented in the subsequent 3-2 board vote. Angius and Gould have repeatedly been in the minority of 3-2 board votes to keep the mask policy or county emergency declaration in effect.
“If you have the opportunity, you might ask the Governor to rescind his emergency declaration,” Bishop said to Angius.
“I plan on it,” Angius responded. She also expressed concern that a large anti-mask contingent wants to attend next Monday’s regular board meeting, three days ahead of the mask discussion session.
“There’s going to be a lot of people here and I assure you that some of these people who are coming are not going to be wearing masks,” Angius said. “That’s going to be a problem.” Mask mandate opponent Bridget Langston has promised litigation, contending Constitutional rights were infringed when county officials prohibited she and others from attending the Oct. 8 board meeting. Langston issued an Oct. 13 news release complaining that they were ignored when they cited personal exemption from face cover dictates, while alleging various county officials have been seen not wearing masks in county buildings.
Dave Hawkins
We have been making our position and questions very clear. Not sure why watson thinks his constituents are so confused or lacking information, and the Governor is even aware of how we feel about the over the top blown out of proportion response to a virus that was less deadly than the chaos and fear that spread faster, and was responsible for businesses that will not come back from this, the ratio was 10 businesses died, to every 1 person , and most as we know were elderly people that are closer to the end of this earthly journey, so if not for covid would have maybe gone on anyways. but i will see you at the oct 22nd event.
“most as we know were elderly people that are closer to the end of this earthly journey,”
Insert “Black, disabled, uneducated, poor, Hispanic, etc., in place of elderly and what do you get?
We have been making our position and questions very clear. Not sure why watson thinks his constituents are so confused or lacking information, and the Governor is even aware of how we feel about the over the top blown out of proportion response to a virus that was less deadly than the chaos and fear that spread faster, and was responsible for businesses that will not come back from this, the ratio was 10 businesses died, to every 1 person , and most as we know were elderly people that are closer to the end of this earthly journey, so if not for covid would have maybe gone on anyways. but i will see you at the oct 22nd event.
“most as we know were elderly people that are closer to the end of this earthly journey,”
Insert “Black, disabled, uneducated, poor, Hispanic, etc., in place of elderly and what do you get?
But the Coty Council is discussing this on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Why is oublic comment AFTER they decide whether to keep the mandate or not? This makes no sense.
But the Coty Council is discussing this on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Why is oublic comment AFTER they decide whether to keep the mandate or not? This makes no sense.