A request for adoption of the city’s recent mask mandate highlighted the Lyon County Commission’s weekly action session Thursday morning.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Emporia City Commissioner Rob Gilligan addressed county commissioners on the topic. Gilligan, acting as an individual and not a representative of the city, requested commissioners consider action to adopt the city’s mask mandate countywide.
Gilligan’s request was not well received by county counselor Marc Goodman who felt the request, although made during the meeting’s public comment period, was “uncalled for.”
Gilligan stated that the request was born out of conversations between city commissioners Wednesday during which many felt the decision of a mask mandate should have been handled at a higher governmental level.
Gilligan would go on to state that combatting the COVID-19 pandemic takes a team effort and he would like to see their team grow as much as possible by adding County Commissioners. County Commission Chairman Rollie Martin says he is in favor of sticking with the county’s current health mandate set to expire Sept. 18 that strongly recommends mask usage.
He feels individuals should have the right to govern their own actions rather than have their actions governed for them.
Commissioner Scott Briggs, a proponent for mask usage, believes the county should at least consider conversations on the matter and commended the city for its recent action.
The city’s mandate requires the use of masks or face coverings in certain public situations where six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained. The mandate will go into effect following its publication, likely next week, and will remain in effect until Sept. 16 at which time the city commission is scheduled to review it.
In other business Thursday, County Commissioners approved a $250,000 appropriation from the multi-year fund to support scholarships for Emporia State University students. Additionally, commissioners approved a request from Lyon County Engineer Chip Woods for Stright-Line Striping, Inc. to paint edge lines on Americus Road.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly action session next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
10:30 am Thursday: City commissioner requests county adoption of recent mask mandate
Less than 24 hours after passing a mask mandate for the city of Emporia, City Commissioner Rob Gilligan sought the assistance of Lyon County Commissioners in adopting similar action.
Gilligan attended the Lyon County Commission’s weekly action session Thursday morning to make the request on behalf of the city. Gilligan tells KVOE News that the fight against COVID-19 will take a team effort and his desire is to grow the local team as much as possible.
During the city’s action session Wednesday, multiple city commissioners voiced their belief that the mandate should have been a decision made by a higher level of government. Gilligan says that does not mean the county specifically, but rather the state or national level.
Gilligan, acting as an individual and not on behalf of the city commission, says he felt the need to make the county aware of the discussion point as the citizens of Emporia are also citizens of Lyon County.
Lyon County Commissioners have yet to comment on the request.
The city’s mandate, which goes into effect next week through Sept. 16, requires the wearing of masks or face coverings in public settings where six feet of social distance cannot be maintained.
The mandate is enforceable by fines of $25, $50 or $100 depending on the number of convictions. Further details, including reaction from county commissioners, are currently pending.
