Updated January 18, 2021...
From the Free Washington Patriots:
"As we talked about on Monday, Skagit County commissioners will be meeting on January 20th at 10:30am to discuss trying to attach civil penalties to the mask and social distancing mandates. The meeting will be held over zoom or a similar platform, and they are taking calls from the community (with each person having up to 3 minutes to speak) to give input. Let's flood them with people signing up for a 3 minute slot!
Please call the Board of County Commissioner's Office at: 360-416-1300. Ask to be put on the list to speak for 3 minutes during the meeting on January 20th at 10:30am. They will email you information on how to join the meeting if you ask..."
This link can be read so you can see what will be voted on. https://www.skagitcounty.net/HealthDiseases/Documents/CoVid/SCC%20Chapter%2012_54%20%20-%20Code-%20Health%20Officer%20Order%20Violations.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2QDSDLNm1g_vmsYFQEpP-BqzH5CNkPLavYu_Ebzs_2F2fWW8RxFfBpRd0
What is the purpose of extending this sort of tyranny when the state is clearly capable of tyranical enforcement all by itself? Maybe the state doesn't share the "revenue" from their ill gotten gains? Perhaps the commissioners should be considerate of the real world economics and the position individuals and businesses have been placed in by the state, if there is no money, there is no money, it doesn't matter who is asking for it.
Commissioners are barking up the wrong tree, instead of fines and fees, they should be considering how to free private enterprise so businesses can afford to support government!
It is clear those in government have little or no intention to let their grip on liberty slip! This meeting is scheduled for January 20, days after the governors mandates will supposedly expire because we will have the legislature in session, and legislators are set to take the reins from Inslee and instititute a little sanity in the Emergency Proclamations Act, right? RIGHT!?!
I guess citizens and patriots in Skagit must make their intentions clear. Call 360-416-1300 and email, commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us and remind your commissioner who they serve. Better yet, also make sure to sign in for comment at the January 20th meeting.
From Skagit County
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Health will hold a public hearing in the Commissioners Hearing Room, County Administration Building 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA on January 20, 2021 at 10:30 a.m., for the purpose of considering public comment and possible action regarding the proposed adoption of proposed new County Code Chapter 12.54 Health Officer Orders and Violations. This ordinance will adopt a method of establishing Health Officer Orders and enforcement of Health Officer Orders in Skagit County. This Public Hearing provides an opportunity for the public to give comment to the Board of Health. Your views for or against the adoption of the proposed Health Officer Orders and Violations ordinance are invited by attendance, representation, or letter.
Participation in the public hearing, pursuant to Proclamations currently in place, shall be through remote access via GoToMeeting. To participate in the public hearing, call +1 (408) 650-3123 (Access Code: 632 327 501) or join from your computer, tablet or smartphone at: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/632327501 Citizens who would like to sign up to provide public testimony must call the Clerk of the Board at (360) 416-1300 before the meeting is scheduled to start. The Clerk will need each citizen's name and the town or city where they reside. Once the public hearing is opened, those who signed up will be called on one-at-a-time to provide public testimony for up to 3 minutes.
Written comments may be submitted by mail or email. Email comments can be sent to Health@co.skagit.wa.us, or can be mailed or delivered to Public Health Administration 700 South Second Street #301, Mount Vernon, WA 98273-1071. Both mail and emailed comments must be identified with the subject "Health Officer Orders and Enforcement." All written comments must be received prior to January 20, 2021 to be considered. In the event in-person participation is authorized by the date of the public hearing, in addition to participating remotely, citizens may also participate through in-person attendance at the Skagit County Commissioners Hearing Room, located at 1800 Continental Place, Suite 100, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Citizens who plan to attend a public hearing and have special needs or disabilities are asked to call the Board of County Commissioners Office at (360) 416-1300 at least 96 hours before the hearing to discuss and arrange for any needed accommodation.
At least on the local level in Skagit County, citizens voices and opinions are taken into consideration, hundreds objected to the enforcement proposals and they were rejected, or at least tabled. Good work Skagit citizens!
From the Skagit Valley Herald:
County ends talks about COVID-19 civil penalties
The Skagit County Board of Health canceled plans Thursday to consider civil penalties for violating county health orders, including those related to COVID-19, as the Public Health department shifts its focus to vaccinations.
Public Health Director Jennifer Johnson said at a meeting that her department’s priorities have changed significantly since the idea of civil penalties was proposed Dec. 22.
She said she is concerned that creating a financial penalty — proposed as a $50 fine for first-time violators — would anger the public and reduce compliance with such health precautions as masking, social distancing and limiting occupancy in businesses.
“Now is a time when Public Health needs to be building trust and support in our community,” Johnson said.
Further, she said she believes compliance with COVID-19 health recommendations is increasing, as the number of new cases is down from record highs in December.
All five members of the board agreed to no longer consider civil penalties.
These penalties would have been levied against those who violated orders from the county health officer.
Health Officer Howard Leibrand has not issued any such orders, only recommendations. Johnson said no county orders mandating masks are being considered, and it’s unknown whether they would be considered in the future.
Leibrand said the county can already take violators of any such orders to court, adding he felt that was sufficient.
A public hearing on the proposed civil penalties, scheduled for Wednesday, has been canceled.
— Reporter Brandon Stone: bstone@skagitpublishing.com, 360-416-2112, Twitter: @Brandon_SVH
January 2, 2021