BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL STRONGLY ENCOURAGES MASK WEARING, BUT ABBOTT ORDER MAKES PRACTICE MANDATORY
The Brenham City Council gave a strong recommendation at its meeting today (Thursday) for citizens to wear facemasks, but the recommendation became a requirement after Governor Greg Abbott’s latest executive order.
At the council’s meeting this afternoon, councilmembers heard from several residents who voiced their opinions on mandatory mask usage before giving their own thoughts on the matter.
After discussion, the council made a motion for city staff to amend the city’s current disaster declaration to not mandate, but “strongly encourage” the wearing of masks in public, as well as in areas and at events where crowds may gather. However, with Abbott’s newest order, citizens will be required to wear facemasks.
Prior to the meeting, the city received comments from approximately 37 citizens on the subject of mandatory facemasks, with 12 for and 25 against. Another four residents spoke at the meeting, all in opposition of a mandatory mask order.
Each member of the council expressed their favor of the public wearing masks, but cited enforceability concerns and possible negative effects on businesses as the reasons for not wanting to make masks a requirement.
Councilmember Susan Cantey said the city has been advised by trusted health officials that masks are an easy sacrifice to make for the health of the public, and believes masks should be treated as a health issue, not a political issue. However, she did not think the city would be able to effectively enforce an order. Councilmember Clint Kolby echoed Cantey, saying masks are advisable but “almost impossible” to enforce from a governmental perspective.
Councilmember Keith Herring said a mandatory mask order would accomplish the exact opposite of what the city is trying to do, and that is to draw everyone together. He said he wanted to leave the matter up to the community.
Councilmember Albert Wright said he strongly encourages the practice of wearing masks and hopes that people will follow the city’s recommendation, but that masks should not be mandated. Councilmember Adonna Saunders said each business and individual should be able to make their own decision on wearing masks, and that the decision should not be forced.
Councilmember Andrew Ebel stated he is in favor of everyone wearing a mask, saying it is the right thing to take care of one another.
Brenham Mayor Milton Tate was also in favor of keeping the wearing of masks up to the public, but expressed worries that the city may be forced to make a decision if the state of COVID-19 in the community gets worse.
City Manager James Fisher implored the public to wear masks, and to honor and respect the request of business owners that ask customers to wear masks. He said whether people agree or disagree on the orders, it is important to still be kind to one another.
Also in session, the council:
- Adopted updated and revised aviation minimum standards for the Brenham Municipal Airport. The matter was tabled at the council’s last meeting to allow for further discussion.
- Held a public hearing and approved an ordinance on its first reading granting a specific use permit to allow an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in an R-2 Mixed Residential Use zoning district at 501 Crockett Street in the Woodlawn Heights Addition in Brenham.
- Tabled action on temporarily closing state right-of-way and setting a noise variance for the July 19th community picnic at Henderson Park. The event has been postponed into the fall (see related story here).
Like I said before, wearing the mask gives me a headache. Still won’t be wearing one.
Why council voted no masks? The only reason I can imagine is people just won’t go out and spend money if they must wear a mask. Spending means sales tax collection, butter for the county and city bread. When working citizens have a reduction in come, we cut back expenses, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. Some days no butter on the bread. If possible we have a rainy day fund for necessities. But, the city and county are payroll heavy and do anything but cut back anywhere. Example: our county taxpayers must pay to have the business office entrance to the new road barn on 36 north landscaped by the most expensive landscape business in town. I ask you, what’s wrong with having the road barn crews do the landscaping? Majority of taxpayers do their own, why can’t they? Should the city spend tens of thousands to keep an expensive entertainment/ meeting place Downtown functioning as if it were in a city of 100,000? Live with in your means is a phrase they both need explained.
Believing that wearing a mask thinking it will stop a virus is like thinking underwear will stop a fart !,………
But will your fart kill somebody? Please post where you are so we can avoid it!
I will not wear a mask. PERIOD. I chalk up a fine if I have to.
They are making masks that say “This mask is as worthless as my governor.” I plan to get one. Note 25 people came out to oppose this here in Brenham. I thank those people for standing up for what is right and just. I also thank the City Council for their ability to see that our rights do still matter. Even though our governor who is probably the most hated man by both sides today is a coward the people running this city are not. Good for y’all. Just hearing this makes me feel better because when it mattered… They stuck up for the businesses and the people here. I’m still not wearing a mask. I won’t cover my face just because I am told to this isn’t communist China, this is America and my rights don’t end where yours begin.
I am in NYS near Buffalo and have not nor will wear a mask. I was just wondering where I can get one of those “this mask is as worthless…..” face coverings? If I was forced for some weird reason to wear one it would be that one!!
Man. Ya think that America is still pretty alright then you read comments here.
I can see that local mentality of wanting to keep your job if you were elected to the Brenham city council or any other offices. I guess Governor Abbott’s time in office will soon come to an end when the anti-mask, government conspiracy theorists vote. Then again, they may just go to Austin and overthrow the government… I can just hear Dan Patrick doing a play-by-play account from his sportscaster past as the Capitol building is breached and the protesters enter and rip the masks off of everyone’s face. That won’t happen here in Brenham, however, because Abbott will be the scapegoat. Maybe for a community event, there could be a burning of Abbott’s effigy over by the statue of Reese Lockett.
So where be you oh voices of dissent and discontent??
You still have your freedom to shop out of state.
So what has happened to the anti mask people??
Lost your voices? Finally, everyone should work for the common sense and good health of all
Still here and still calling you folks sheep.
Very meek response to a matter that required STERN recommendations from the beginning. Gov. Abbott was appropriate in his mandate, albeit late. I’m disappointed in our county and state and national politicians. Not a lick of sense in any of them. This PANDEMIC is the worse World Public Health threat in a century with 130,000 lives in 4 months. Within a year it is on pace to kill as many Americans as 5 years of WW2. Everyone is belittling the threat and it all the while is killing a lot of us.
why dont You do something about getting the mail delivered, I know their short handed but if You start deliveries the same place everyday and end the same place. the same people are not getting their mail and I am one of them…………
Thank goodness Governor Abbott had what it takes to make masks mandatory. I can’t believe our mayor and most council members only “strongly encourage” wearing of masks. They don’t seem to care if our citizens live or die. I saw that some council members believe it should be mandatory, but caved in on the vote. Mayor, why were you in favor of waiting to see if the CoVid gets worse before issuing a mandate? Seems like it is pretty bad right now. Just look at the number of cases over the last week. Medical director Dr. Loesch said all along that face masks are important. Listen to him. Thanks Council member Cantey for recognizing that wearing face masks is an easy sacrifice to make for the health of our community. Thank you Governor Abbott for doing what our leaders failed to do.