MOHAVE COUNTY – Split votes on coronavirus mask mandates netted different results in Bullhead City and Kingman Tuesday. The Bullhead City council voted 4-3 to lift the Colorado River community’s face-covering requirement Wednesday.
A 2.5-hour-long town hall style debate occurred at the Kingman Council meeting. The discussion reflected the sharp divisiveness of mask policy and other COVID-19 measures and restrictions.
Vice Mayor Travis Lingenfelter and council member Deana Nelson dissented in the 5-2 vote to keep the Kingman face covering policy in effect until the council revisits the matter during its October 20 meeting. Both said they believe use of masks should be a citizen choice rather than a government dictate.
Council member David Wayt held court for about 15 minutes. He said the Council needs to determine what measurement or benchmark it will use when it next considers lifting the mandate.
Wayt furthermore noted that he is disturbed by the viciousness of bickering within the community.
“The most aggravating aspect of this topic is how discourteous some people have been in trying to persuade people toward their side,” Wayt said. “At the last council meeting we witnessed some pretty despicable behavior and it doesn’t take a lawyer to point out that hurling insults at someone doesn’t generally make for a compelling argument.”
Nelson followed up with her own lengthy rant about need of tolerance.
“I’m angry at the fact that people have chosen to be nasty, mean nasty over a damn mask…At what point in time did we go from hating bullies in this world to becoming bullies in this world? And a face covering has brought this (ugliness) out. That’s terrible. That’s sad. That’s embarrassing. That’s heartbreaking,” Nelson said, encouraging civility.
“Why are we not being kind to each other? What happened to kindness? It’s gone. It’s absolutely gone,” Nelson said. “You’re going to bump into somebody in the grocery store and they’re going to tell you what they think about you. Why? That’s evil. That’s mean. That’s nasty. Stop it!”
- Dave Hawkins
Last week at city council meeting they asked attorney if mask is lifted would Kingman would lose federal funding..always follow the money. I am sick of wearing it keep well people locked down. Will go to Bullhead for meals, shopping and ever day living..be free their..
Last week at city council meeting they asked attorney if mask is lifted would Kingman would lose federal funding..always follow the money. I am sick of wearing it keep well people locked down. Will go to Bullhead for meals, shopping and ever day living..be free their..