Benton County Commissioner Seeks to Pass Re-Open Proclamation
Benton County Commissioner Will McKay has created a proclamation that will be voted on Tuesday morning during the Benton County Commissioner's meeting (9AM).
The proclamation was created with help from legislators such as 8th District House Reps Brad Klippert and Matt Boehnke as well as several legal experts. The proclamation is to re-open Benton County. If approved, it will call upon Gov. Inslee and the legislature to immediately begin any and all legislative and legal means to modify the state of emergency, and to nullify the recent lock down so businesses can re open using their already proven COVID safety protocols.
It lays out how former Health Secretary John Wiesman in Oct. 2020 approved Benton County's application to move to Phase 2; that at no time have restaurants, bars, gyms, museums and churches been linked to any significant community transmissions; at no time was that application ever revoked or rejected.
It also lays out the efforts made by the Benton Franklin Health Department, businesses, and oficials to meet all criteria for further openings; how the November lockdowns were done without proof that the closed businesses were causing case and transmission rates to rise.
The proclamation also turns Inslee's "equity" argument against him by pointing out these closures unfairly impact many businesses run by people of color, minorities, veterans, and other citizens. It creates an unfair business climate for them to close while larger national franchise retail businesses stay open.
It also points out that the November Icurrent) lockdown also violates the criteria set forth that allowed Benton County to have weddings, funerals, worship services (singing) as well as adult and youth sports and activities under it's current Phase.
--Citizens can call the Commissioners office (they won't answer but staff will) at (509) 786-5600 or (509) 736-3080 and in a civil manner, ask for Commissioners to support and pass the proclamation.
--Tuesday, a few minutes prior to the meeting at 9AM, citizens can call 509-460-4941.
They will have an opportunity to offer their comments in support of this, and perhaps include how these lockdowns have negatively impacted their lives.
--And finally, citizens can log in and watch online and see what happens. The county DOES monitor the number of online visitors and viewers. To get the link to watch, click on the button below.
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