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You may have seen this image of a meeting in #UtahCounty that went viral (online only hopefully
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I've been hoping this would be over by now, but it's not.
I guess it's time for a very long THREAD / TIMELINE explanation
This is not a @parksandrec episode. It's @UtahCountyGov
)I've been hoping this would be over by now, but it's not.
I guess it's time for a very long THREAD / TIMELINE explanation
This is not a @parksandrec episode. It's @UtahCountyGov
Monday afternoon, July 13
My assistant @nairezra and I finished setting the agenda for Wednesday's meeting. There is nothing on the agenda about masks.
My assistant @nairezra and I finished setting the agenda for Wednesday's meeting. There is nothing on the agenda about masks.
Monday night, July 13
Commissioner Bill Lee sends this e-mail to county residents and adds the mask issue to the agenda (totally within his rights). But, @IvieNathan and I were not aware.
Commissioner Bill Lee sends this e-mail to county residents and adds the mask issue to the agenda (totally within his rights). But, @IvieNathan and I were not aware.
Tuesday morning, July 14
I'm bombarded by e-mails, texts, calls from residents and reporters asking whether I would support Bill's mask exemption. At first I had no idea what they were talking about. I pulled up the agenda system and found this.
Ralph does not want this letter
I'm bombarded by e-mails, texts, calls from residents and reporters asking whether I would support Bill's mask exemption. At first I had no idea what they were talking about. I pulled up the agenda system and found this.
Ralph does not want this letter
Still Tuesday morning, July 14
As a parent of 5 kids, I share the concerns many parents have. I speak with @GovHerbert who assures me he is working with school districts on a re-opening plan that requires masks in the classroom yet allows for exceptions where needed/reasonable.
As a parent of 5 kids, I share the concerns many parents have. I speak with @GovHerbert who assures me he is working with school districts on a re-opening plan that requires masks in the classroom yet allows for exceptions where needed/reasonable.
Tuesday, July 14
I speak with leaders of @alpineschools, @ProvoSchoolDist and @NeboDistrict. They confirm they are working closely with @GovHerbert and request the county to just stay out of the issue completely.
I then issue this statement: https://twitter.com/tannerainge/status/1283109153129418752?s=21
I speak with leaders of @alpineschools, @ProvoSchoolDist and @NeboDistrict. They confirm they are working closely with @GovHerbert and request the county to just stay out of the issue completely.
I then issue this statement: https://twitter.com/tannerainge/status/1283109153129418752?s=21
Tuesday afternoon, July 14
Bill uploads his letter to the agenda system.
It asks the County Commission to vote... to direct the Utah County Health Director... to send a letter to the Governor...to grant exemptions to the school districts...that they aren't even asking for...
Bill uploads his letter to the agenda system.
It asks the County Commission to vote... to direct the Utah County Health Director... to send a letter to the Governor...to grant exemptions to the school districts...that they aren't even asking for...
Tuesday afternoon, July 14
Bill is interviewed by @DeseretNews. Here's a picture of him showing the reporter how he sees the room looking.
Bill is interviewed by @DeseretNews. Here's a picture of him showing the reporter how he sees the room looking.
Wednesday afternoon, July 15
Bill speaks to the crowd outside and then they come as a group into the commission chambers. Then this happened.
*Note: The meeting was continued, which means Bill's agenda item would stay on for a future meeting https://twitter.com/brian_schnee/status/1283512412537098241?s=21
Bill speaks to the crowd outside and then they come as a group into the commission chambers. Then this happened.
*Note: The meeting was continued, which means Bill's agenda item would stay on for a future meeting https://twitter.com/brian_schnee/status/1283512412537098241?s=21
Because the 3 commissioners are the executive and legislative body (no separation like a Mayor and city council), we have a ton of agenda items. Every little contract or approval has to be voted on (whereas a Mayor could just sign most of them if we had separation of powers)
Week of July 20
Bill decides he wants to hold a special meeting on masks at the convention center. He says his plan is to get school superintendents there and do a joint town hall. I reiterate that I've spoken with the districts and they have NO DESIRE to do this.
Bill decides he wants to hold a special meeting on masks at the convention center. He says his plan is to get school superintendents there and do a joint town hall. I reiterate that I've spoken with the districts and they have NO DESIRE to do this.
Predictably, the districts ask us not to hold the meeting.
Here is one letter that very politely expresses the sentiment that was expressed to me with a lot more frustration.
"We don't hold meetings to discuss the budget of your sheriff's office" was the general vibe
Here is one letter that very politely expresses the sentiment that was expressed to me with a lot more frustration.
"We don't hold meetings to discuss the budget of your sheriff's office" was the general vibe
All three county commissioners support temporarily reverting back to holding county meetings on a virtual only basis for the sake of public health. Order is signed.
Monday, July 27
@nairezra and I set the agenda again for our virtual meeting. It still includes Bill's mask item. Our understanding is we are required to keep it on, so we do.
Agenda is published.
@nairezra and I set the agenda again for our virtual meeting. It still includes Bill's mask item. Our understanding is we are required to keep it on, so we do.
Agenda is published.
Tuesday, July 28
Bill Lee removes his own agenda item from the published agenda, causing confusion (because the public had already been notified that we WOULD discuss it)
Bill Lee removes his own agenda item from the published agenda, causing confusion (because the public had already been notified that we WOULD discuss it)
Wednesday, July 29
Some folks with strong opinions about masks show up at our meeting even though they are told all public comment is required to be made via the phone. They ignore the rules and building security and enter into the meeting.
Some folks with strong opinions about masks show up at our meeting even though they are told all public comment is required to be made via the phone. They ignore the rules and building security and enter into the meeting.
They start yelling at me, assuming I removed the mask item from the agenda because I was too much of a coward to discuss it with them. I tell them it was not me who removed the item. They are sure I'm lying. Bill confirms that he took it off the agenda.
They're like:
They're like:
One lady tells us she showed up because God told her it was on the agenda. She makes a few Nazi references. They insist that they are my boss because they represent a majority of Utah County. I tell them they don't. They scream for my impeachment. https://kslnewsradio.com/1930232/things-get-testy-again-before-the-utah-county-commission-meeting/
We begin to ask the group to leave the room because we need to start our virtual meeting (staff is allowed in). They begin to bargain. "We're not leaving until you set a date for a town hall on masks!"
(Town hall is right term since there is no action for the county to take)
(Town hall is right term since there is no action for the county to take)
I say I won't be attending or helping to coordinate a meeting in any way. They turn to Bill.
Bill contacts the convention center and learns August 5th or 6th is available. He and @IvieNathan say they'll attend an informal town hall.
At last it is finally over. Off of our agenda forever. It never should have been on there in the first place.
But wait...
At last it is finally over. Off of our agenda forever. It never should have been on there in the first place.
But wait...
Next thing I know, Bill's office is reaching out to our attorney's office to schedule a special, official public meeting at the convention center on the topic of masks!
I ask how this can possibly even be considered again. @IvieNathan and I both oppose. Legal starts advising us that if 2 Commissioners are at any meeting it becomes an official meeting subject to open and public meeting laws.
(Constant struggle with this form of government)
(Constant struggle with this form of government)
So it sounds like there could still be another meeting about this whole issue. Still not over. TBD. But can we use this story to focus on our form of government? Having 3 people lead the county as co-CEO's/legislators is just clunky. It's time for change, which is on the ballot.
The plan changes to a 5-member, part-time county council (with geographic districting for the first time), plus an elected county Mayor. With the growth #UtahCounty is experiencing, it's time for this change. Please vote Yes on this issue in November.
Website is coming soon--not from the county but an independent group. This plan is supported by 90%+ of the mayors and state legislators in Utah County. Business community and @siliconslopes are starting to get involved.
The text of the actual plan is attached + budget impact
The text of the actual plan is attached + budget impact
Not a partisan issue at all. All about trying to optimize our government to best represent and respond to our community’s needs. I look forward to engaging on this issue thru November.
@jenney_rees will play a major role
(And I hope she’ll file as a write-in candidate too)
@jenney_rees will play a major role
(And I hope she’ll file as a write-in candidate too)
