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Commission is now resuming with continued public forum.
This speaker says the argument has to do with the governmental process.
She says the problem is not the science, it’s the lack of checks and balances. “They should not have legislative powers, which is essentially what you all have given them,” she says.
She says the problem is not the science, it’s the lack of checks and balances. “They should not have legislative powers, which is essentially what you all have given them,” she says.
This speaker says he wants to first speak his respect to the health department.
He says this is personal and that his visits with his sister are threatened if his health is threatened.
He says this is personal and that his visits with his sister are threatened if his health is threatened.
This speaker says he is asking people to look at this from a bigger picture.
He asks commission to see if giving the health board power has worked.
He asks commission to see if giving the health board power has worked.
We’re also live streaming all of this discussion. You can watch here: https://www.wate.com/watch-live-events/
Since resuming public forum, we’ve heard from people on both sides of this issue.
This speaker says he is proud of Knox County’s mayor and sheriff.
He says for commission to be here this late on just the 3rd item of their agenda is amazing.
This speaker says he is proud of Knox County’s mayor and sheriff.
He says for commission to be here this late on just the 3rd item of their agenda is amazing.
This speaker says she wears her mask “to protect you.”
The BOH represents the educated voice in response to COVID, she says, and says “listen to them.”
The BOH represents the educated voice in response to COVID, she says, and says “listen to them.”
This speaker says he is a faculty member at UT.
The BOH is comprised of well-informed scientists who understand the situation, he says. He asks if they are removed, “who will guide us?”
The BOH is comprised of well-informed scientists who understand the situation, he says. He asks if they are removed, “who will guide us?”
Commission Chairman Jay says he is addressing one item - item 61 - before returning back to public forum.
This is that item. The motion passed.
Returning now to public forum. Jay implores speakers to consolidate their comments.
This is that item. The motion passed.
Returning now to public forum. Jay implores speakers to consolidate their comments.
This speaker says she wants to see the BOH dissolved.
She asks commission why they aren’t tracking the lives and businesses destroyed?
She asks commission why they aren’t tracking the lives and businesses destroyed?
Commissioner Jay says this is the last public forum speaker.
Public forum began this evening at 5 p.m.
Commission did go through the zoning portion of their agenda, before resuming public forum about two hours ago.
Public forum began this evening at 5 p.m.
Commission did go through the zoning portion of their agenda, before resuming public forum about two hours ago.
Public forum concludes at 10:24 p.m.
The commission is now considering the resolution related to the Board of Health.
There is a motion to approve. It is seconded.
There is a motion to approve. It is seconded.
Dr. Pat O’Brien with the Board of Health is at the podium. He says he is here for commission’s questions.
O’Brien says they are here to act in the best interest of the citizens of this county. He says they don’t do it for political motive.
“We are here to assist this county with making the best decisions we can based on the information that presents itself at the time.”
“We are here to assist this county with making the best decisions we can based on the information that presents itself at the time.”
Commissioner Smith thanks Dr O’Brien for his service. “I feel your function is important. I hope you understand what we’re up against also,” he says.
O’Brien says they’re doing what they were told was their duty. He says it’s a phenomenal group of people to be associated with.
O’Brien says they’re doing what they were told was their duty. He says it’s a phenomenal group of people to be associated with.
Dr. Buchanan is videoed in.
Dr. O’Brien says this is a real disease. Someone from his church passed away, he says. He says they do have a concern and have to look out for the vulnerable in the community.
Dr. O’Brien says this is a real disease. Someone from his church passed away, he says. He says they do have a concern and have to look out for the vulnerable in the community.
He says people need to continue being vigilant and continue doing the 5 core actions.
He says please work with them so they can get a critical mass of people who do not spread disease. He says it will never go away completely, but want it to be gone enough to resume normal life.
He says please work with them so they can get a critical mass of people who do not spread disease. He says it will never go away completely, but want it to be gone enough to resume normal life.
Commissioner Larsen Jay asks Dr. O’Brien to speak about the structure of the board of health.
O’Brien says they are a group of volunteer health professionals. There is not a BOH in the US, that he understands he says, that is elected.
O’Brien says they are a group of volunteer health professionals. There is not a BOH in the US, that he understands he says, that is elected.
Jay asks if there is a BOH that reports to a legislative body.
Buchanan says she is not aware of any of the ones around the state reporting to a legislative body.
Buchanan says she is not aware of any of the ones around the state reporting to a legislative body.
Commissioner Schoonmaker is now asking questions of O’Brien.
The commissioner says it would have been nice if O’Brien went to businesses outside of the strip and mentioned what was happening there.
Schoonmaker says he was disappointed by that.
The commissioner says it would have been nice if O’Brien went to businesses outside of the strip and mentioned what was happening there.
Schoonmaker says he was disappointed by that.
Schoonmaker says the people with a medical condition being harassed for not wearing a mask is one of the things that bothers him.
“This issue has really divided our county,” the commissioner says.
“This issue has really divided our county,” the commissioner says.
Commissioner Busler says 42 people came tonight to talk about their feelings.
He says they haven’t talked about how to bring the two sides together. Is there any way you can get both sides to work together to come to a compromise to agree to talk about this virus, he asks.
He says they haven’t talked about how to bring the two sides together. Is there any way you can get both sides to work together to come to a compromise to agree to talk about this virus, he asks.
I’m walking back into the meeting after a live shot for @6News.
Dr. O’Brien and Dr. Buchanan are still speaking with commissioners.
Dr. O’Brien and Dr. Buchanan are still speaking with commissioners.
Commissioner Hill says the resolution is “certainly written with compromise in mind.”
She makes a substitute motion proposing they postpone the vote on this indefinitely.
She makes a substitute motion proposing they postpone the vote on this indefinitely.
Commission is double checking some things before putting a second on it.
Hill says she is not suggesting this board does not take some action. But she says they need to take some action that will make a difference.
Hill says she is not suggesting this board does not take some action. But she says they need to take some action that will make a difference.
The law director defines “postpone indefinitely.”
Jay says it is an appropriate motion if she receives a second from the body. It could be brought up in the future, he says.
Jay says it is an appropriate motion if she receives a second from the body. It could be brought up in the future, he says.
There is no second.
They go back to the original motion.
They go back to the original motion.
Commissioner Daily says he understands where they are going. But he says it’s to the point now where the hate that has been developed, and the phone calls & emails.
He says he will support this resolution.
He says he will support this resolution.
Commissioner Jay says he will go around one more time, and he will weigh in.
Jay says the one thing lost in this convo is item #3 of the resolution. Take COVID out of it, he says, and the BOH was established by state law. It can only be changed by state law, he says.
Jay says the one thing lost in this convo is item #3 of the resolution. Take COVID out of it, he says, and the BOH was established by state law. It can only be changed by state law, he says.
If you want to change this, he says you 1 change the state law. Or you put an ordinance to have no board of health, he says.
Buchanan speaks about how other counties operate. She lists the ones that have boards of health, all established under TN Code, she says.
She says they all have different levels of involvement in COVID related issues.
She says they all have different levels of involvement in COVID related issues.
Commissioner Schoonmaker says he’s probably researched this more than any other issue.
The decision he makes tonight he says he is fully prepared for.
The decision he makes tonight he says he is fully prepared for.
Dr. Buchanan has a statement prepared.
She says they’ve heard a lot from some members of the public and talked with each other. But she says they haven’t really heard from her.
She says they’ve heard a lot from some members of the public and talked with each other. But she says they haven’t really heard from her.
She says she is very well aware of where they live and practice.
She says she’s heard people make statements questioning the expertise. “The data comes from my office... my very experienced staff,” she says.
She says she’s heard people make statements questioning the expertise. “The data comes from my office... my very experienced staff,” she says.
She wants to clarify a few things said last week.
Masks have not made the situation worse, she says.
Also says there’s been a question about why are the metropolitan counties different. Knox is the 3rd largest county in TN, and as such have a large population density, she says.
Masks have not made the situation worse, she says.
Also says there’s been a question about why are the metropolitan counties different. Knox is the 3rd largest county in TN, and as such have a large population density, she says.
Commissioner Smith says he sincerely thanks Buchanan and the employees at the health dept.
The motion on the table is about 907, item 60.
Commission is voting. Roll call vote.
Commission is voting. Roll call vote.
No, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, no, yes, no.
Vote is 8-3. The motion passed.
Vote is 8-3. The motion passed.
