On this day, August 22, 2002, President George W. Bush proposed to end the government's "hands-off" policy in national forests and ease logging restrictions in fire-prone areas.
Also on this day, August 22, 2014, the State of Oregon filed a $200 million suit against Oracle Corp. and several executives over the company's role in creating the troubled website for the state's online health insurance exchange.
Also on this day, August 22, 2020, demonstrators faced off in Portland with the two sides -- one aligned with a "Back the Blue" rally and the other a Black Lives Matter counter-demonstration -- reportedly largely ignoring police warnings. Ultimately, Department of Homeland Security officers deemed the gatherings unlawful and moved through the plaza, forcing the crowd to disperse.
Expresses concern over vaccine mandates
A Commissioner from Clatsop County Oregon has now sent Governor Kate Brown a letter expressing concern, in response to the recent vaccine mandate announcement.
The letter can be read here:
Dear Governor Brown,
As a member of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners, I respectfully request the
State of Oregon consider the impacts of vaccination mandates on rural schools, volunteer
fire agencies and other vaccine mandated sectors.
For Clatsop County I am particularly
concerned for the support staff, custodians, bus drivers and teachers’ aides that serve as
the foundation for our K-12 schools.
In rural Oregon, vaccine hesitancy is real and many
hard-working Oregonians will be required to choose between the vaccine and their
personal freedom (and, thus, job). As you can imagine, many will choose personal freedom.
It is important that even during a pandemic, government is respectful of individual rights
and freedoms.
We need to be sensitive to the legacy current decisions will have on the
longstanding relationship between the government and citizens.
Maintaining public trust
and confidence is a hallmark to local governance – vaccine mandates will forever change
this trust balance – and not in a positive manner.
After eighteen long months of responding to the pandemic, we have learned many things,
including the efficacy of masks, social distancing, personal hygiene and staying home when
sick. While the vaccine is a valuable tool that Clatsop County will continue to advocate for
and dispense, it is not without skeptics in our community.
I ask that you allow schools, hospitals, rural fire agencies and others to make local
decisions on whether and how mandates are structured, communicated and implemented.
Our response to COVID-19 cannot be a one size fits all – local control, local values and local
decisions are the path forward.
As we anticipate the inevitable COVID surges, lets continue to work together to educate,
vaccinate, test and support those most in need, but simultaneously allow local agencies and
industries to be the final decision-maker as to the specifics of their local
response/approach.
Mandates had their time and place in the early stages of the pandemic; let’s make the
transition to the more typical and desirable approach of local community-based decision-
making and accountability based on an underlying respect and acknowledgement of
personal rights and freedom.
Thanks for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Courtney Bangs
Clatsop County Commissioner, District 4
--Staff Reports| Post Date: 2021-08-24 22:57:09 | Last Update: 2021-08-27 20:32:36 |
