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Wednesday, September 1, 2021

thechronicleonline.com

Serving Columbia County since 1881

Dozens testify about health, safety mandates JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners have not yet scheduled more discussion on whether or not they will oppose Gov. Kate Brown’s pandemic health and safety mandates. Dozens of local residents voiced their concerns for and against local and state COVID-19 health and safety mandates during the Columbia County Board of Commissioners regular public meeting. The Wednesday, Aug. 25 meeting was held virtually, with a county courthouse room open for people to assemble, practicing social distancing, and to testify electronically. Others testified over the Internet. The county commissioners listened carefully to each person’s comments. Several of the people testifying opposed the state mask and vaccination requirements announced by Gov. Kate Brown. Several said the mandates were unconstitutional. Others supported the state’s health and safety efforts to slow the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed resolution The Columbia County Board of Commissioners discussed a pending resolution that would oppose the governor’s directives. The proposed resolution follows: 1. All employees of Columbia County shall not assist in the enforcement of business closure, school closure, or stay-at-home directives under the Executive Orders of the Governor relating to the Coronavirus pandemic, including state agency directives or guidance;

Kelli Nicholson / The Chronicle

People gathered outside the Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens ready to comment about the local and state pandemic health and safety mandates.

and 2. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners shall make it a priority to restore, preserve and protect our local authority with matters of county concern during emergency declarations. Following the public comments and other county business, the board of commissioners began discussing the proposed resolution. “I would like to make it very clear that I was the one that asked to have this placed on the agenda today and I also had zero intent that this would be voted on. It was actually more of something that I wanted as a discussion item,” Commissioner

Casey Garrett stated. “I apologize if there was any confusion there.” Garrett said he didn’t come up with the resolution on his own. “It is a similar resolution that has been made by more than one county,” he said.” It is pretty well obvious that we are extremely divided now as a nation and as a community. There is very, very strong feelings on both sides and very little room in the middle.” Garrett said many people are skeptical about their livelihoods with the latest vaccination mandate for health care professionals and teachers. “A lot of them are concerned

that they will lose their jobs because they are not comfortable with getting vaccinated,” he said. “They feel they are backed into a corner. They feel like they are being coerced. They are worried that they will have to find another state to live in.” Garrett said the commissioners would be doing a disservice to its constituents if the commission does not recognize that there are legitimate fears and concerns. “I understand there are legal ramifications to what path we decide to take,” he said. “Because this is unprecedented, I would like to vote on unprecedented measures that we can take to try to represent a large

portion of our public who have these concerns.” Garrett said he would like to see more than a letter asking the governor to reconsider. “I feel like lots of folks have done that over the past year,” Garrett said. “It doesn’t seem like much of a back and fourth conversation. It feels like comply, or else.” Garrett said there is “a lot of hate going on out there and that is not healthy.” “This could be looked at as ­­­­ See MANDATE Page A3

Local woman wraps up 50 state bike ride

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley waves to people along the shoreline during a recent marine patrol.

Riding with the Marine Patrol JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Courtesy photo

Tami Garner takes a break from her ride in Richmond, Washington, the 49th state in her journey. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Chronicle first reported earlier this year that Scappoose resident Tami Garner would embark on a fifty state journey to raise $50,000 for the NW Chapter of ALS as a tribute to her husband. Garner said she expected to complete her journey this week. Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Cartoon ..................... A4 Crossword ............... A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ....................... A7 Police Reports ......... A7 TV Guide ................... A8 Obituaries ................. A9 Sports ..................... A10 Vol. 139, No. 35

When her husband Gary Garner died from ALS/ Lou Gehrig’s disease on March 20, Garner, 53, vowed to complete his bucket list of riding her bike in all 50 states. Since May 1, Garner has ridden in 49 states and has raised $11,600 for ALS. She will ride her 50th state, Alaska, at noon Wednesday Sept.1, along Tony Knowles Trail in Anchorage. In the thousands miles driven, and hundreds of miles ridden on her bike Garner said she has met supportive ALS administrators in several states and individuals in every state who have approached her and ­­­­ See GARNER Page A9

With continued warm, clear weather in the forecast ahead for the region, the Columbia County Marine Patrol members are bracing for a busy Labor Day weekend along the Columbia River. Deputies noted a surge of boaters during the pandemic and once health and safety restrictions were lifted that surge has been steady over the past year. “Our marine deputies are seeing a definite increase of boating activity,” Lt. Shaun McQuiddy said, adding that the most common violations made by boaters include safety equipment, navigational, and registration type violations. “If a boater is cited, the fines it can range from $110 to $440 or in case of a criminal charge, such as Boating Under the Influence, the fine amount that could be imposed is up to $5,000,” he said. But McQuiddy added that the marine patrol’s primary function is

education. “We talk with thousands of people on the water throughout the year promoting safety and we also can teach classes about water and boater safety to kids and interested boating groups,” he said.

Just by a deputy being on the river every day, it saves someone’s life. ~ Brian Pixley, Columbia County Sheriff

McQuiddy emphasizes that boaters need to be prepared for the dangerous areas of the Columbia River. He said during the summer, one of the most dangerous areas are the densely populated areas near Sauvie Island and Sand Island. “In these densely populated areas, operators need to be on alert

and cautious as they are operating boats in close proximity to others,” he said. “Most importantly, boaters need to know and be aware of the waterways and the hazards that may be there. As a boater you need to know how the tide affects the water, know the current, and other known hazards above and below the water.” The Columbia County Marine Patrol is funded though the Oregon Marine Board. Columbia County received $217,469 for the current fiscal year (2021-2022) and for the next fiscal year as well (2022-2023), according to Oregon Marine Board Boating Safety Manager / Boating Law Administrator Randy Henry, who said the funding is dedicated to marine law enforcement and related activities, such as program administration. “In our annual contract with Columbia County, they agree to patrol 12 specific waterways within ­­­­

ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247

See PATROL Page A9


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