“The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.” ― Bertrand Russell
Coos County Commissioners Rod Taylor and Bob Main may have coordinated outside of public view to introduce and pass a resolution that would effectively violate public law if state and federal COVID guidelines are enacted. During Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting the pair introduced a “late-late” agenda item. A late-late agenda item is not properly noticed to the public or listed on the agenda and is used primarily for genuine emergencies that may arise at the last minute and cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting.
To hear a late-late agenda item requires a unanimous approval of the board and when John Sweet balked and asked what it was before agreeing to the entry Main refused to tell him and said, “…let’s just get it on and so we can talk about it.” Sweet acquiesced.
Taylor introduced a resolution entitled, In the Matter of Proclaiming Coos County’s Rejection of Unscientific Mask Mandates, Closures, Or Restrictions Related to Respiratory Or Other Diseases, And Reconfirming Personal Freedoms. The document was not vetted by county counsel, or the county health department and Taylor informed me via email that he personally authored the resolution.
As is typical of these right-wing extremist resolutions it is comprised of 95% “whereas” statements and only 5% actual resolution. It’s especially rich in this instance if in fact Taylor really did write the resolution that he, a January 6th insurrectionist, dares to talk about “unconstitutional mandates.”
The resolution passed with Main and Taylor outvoting Sweet’s reasoned disapproval not only of the resolution but the manner in which it was brought before the board. If Main and Taylor colluded together then they have violated Oregon Public Meetings Law. The gist of the resolution is to violate any future state and federal safety mandates. This is a violation of their oath of office and should disqualify either of them from seeking reelection.
It is apparent that Main is teaching Taylor all his dirty tricks to enable their skewed ideological views and force them upon the general public. To be clear, the resolution is toothless, unenforceable and amounts to nothing more than political theater. The real issue is the underhanded manner in which these two tried to pull a fast one on the public.
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