West Newsmagazine 8-4-21

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12 I NEWS I August 4, 2021 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Latest mask mandate gets strong response in local cities EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES THAT HIGH TECH DENTISTRY HAS TO OFFER CROWNS ON YOUR FIRST VISIT - NO NEED FOR TEMPORARY CROWNS DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS ARE MORE COMFORTABLE SAME DAY DENTISTRY ORE THE POSSIBILITIES THAT TECH DENTISTRY HAS TO OFFER SEE YOUR NEW SMILE HERE! SmileView TM Scan this code to see a preview of your teeth straightened by Invisalign SEE YOUR NEW SMILE HERE! SmileView TM Scan this code to see a preview of your teeth (Conveniently located in Winchester Plaza by St. Louis Bread Co.) $50 OFF Treatment $50 OFF FREE Implant Consultation Treatment FREE Invisalign Consultation FREE Implant Consultation FREE Invisalign Consultation Please visit our website: www.ClineDentalGroup.com or call us at 636-230-8081 By CATHY LENNY The new mask mandate that went into effect July 26 in St. Louis City and County has once again divided citizens. Since mid-May, masks had been optional for fully vaccinated individuals while highly recommended for those who were not vaccinated or who have compromised immune systems. But with the resurgence of COVID-19 as a result of the Delta variant, Mayor Tishuara Jones and County Executive Dr. Sam Page have made mask-wearing mandatory in indoor settings for everyone. Immediately, Wildwood Mayor Jim Bowlin declared his opposition on both the nightly and national news and on Facebook. “This means that, going forward, we can be required to wear masks in perpetuity Voted one of without regard to all those who chose to be vaccinated and simply because of an uptick St. Louis' in COVID rates ‘from here and there.’ How "Top Dentists" long could that last?” he asked. 2021 - St. Louis Magazine Reaction from residents on Facebook Voted one of St. Louis' has been swift and, in some cases, harsh. "Top Dentists" 2021 - St. Louis Magazine Christine Brown thought the post was disappointing and that the new mask mandate was intended to slow the spread and keep from further overwhelming the healthcare systems. “It is possible to share facts and responses without your politically charged language,” Brown commented on Facebook. “It feels like you are trying to rile people up and further encourage divisiveness on a public health issue, rather than bring your constituents together in a united effort to keep people safe.” straightened by DIGITAL Invisalign But others offered their full support. IMPRESSIONS “You are upholding your one true duty ARE MORE IMPLANTS COMFORTABLE ARE INCREDIBLY VERSATILE! as a government servant, to protect the STABILIZE LOOSE DENTURES OR REPLACE ALL TEETH IN ONE DAY! rights of the people,” posted Heather Anne. “Like before when I traveled to St. Charles IMPLANTS ARE INCREDIBLY County to shop and eat, I will support VERSATILE! Wildwood businesses.” STABILIZE LOOSE On July 30, Bowlin issued an Emergency Order suspending the enforcement DENTURES OR OUR INVISALIGN REPLACE CAN ALL STRAIGHTEN TEETH TEETH IN ONE IN DAY! of certain ordinances, permits and licenses 4 MONTHS INSTEAD affecting businesses, churches and residents negatively impacted by the county’s OF 2 YEARS OUR INVISALIGN CAN STRAIGHTEN face mask order, and reaffirming the extent TEETH IN 4 MONTHS of police services. 14560 INSTEAD Manchester OF Rd. Suite 25 2 YEARS Mayor Bob Nation said Chesterfield, (Conveniently located in Winchester Plaza by St. Louis Bread Co.) too, has received numerous emails and visit our website: www.ClineDentalGroup.com 14560 Manchester Rd. Suite or 25 call us at 636-230-8081 phone calls from constituents passionately Bowlin expressing their opinions regarding the mask requirement at indoor public facilities, regardless of vaccination status. “While reading these emails, it is obvious that there is a great misunderstanding as to who has the authority to enforce the mandate,” Nation said in a press release posted online. “This misunderstanding has been fueled by bold public statements by elected officials that they have made the decision to defy and not enforce the county mandate.” Nation noted that a legal determination was made last year that concluded that no law enforcement agency (including St. Louis County Police Department) has the authority to enforce a County Health Department Administrative Order. Therefore, the Chesterfield Police Department will not unilaterally enforce the mandate, he said. However, if a business establishment imposes requirements on their patrons to wear masks at indoor public places and a patron refuses to comply, officers will respond to a call from the business to keep the peace. “To be clear, our officers will only respond to calls from business establishments in order to keep the peace,” Nation said. He concluded his message with a call for more people to get vaccinated. “Having said all this, I will personally say that I believe all eligible people should be vaccinated for their own safety, as well as the safety of others,” he said. “Furthermore, although we all value our liberties and freedoms, I think it is a small sacrifice to comply with safety precautions that have been imposed. After all, we are amid a worldwide pandemic that has already killed over 4 million humans and caused many more severe illnesses.” Chesterfield recently extended by six months its suspension of regulations related to sign regulations, parking requirements and business and liquor license fees in order to help businesses reopen. Eureka Mayor Sean Flower said his city intends to remain “mask optional” at its public facilities and meetings, as well as at city activities and events, including its camps, the Timbers of Eureka recreation center and at other venues. The city’s police department and other staff also will not enforce the county health orders. “I have made this position clear in the past, and this policy will continue,” Flowers posted on Facebook. “I ask residents to respect decisions of business and vice versa, but the city will not enforce these orders or become the mask police.”
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM August 4, 2021 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I NEWS I 13 MASK MANDATE, from page 11 and openly rude and disruptive behavior by many toward the few who did speak in support of the mask mandate. At its best, the crowd was enthusiastic and engaged. At its worst, they were little better than an unruly mob barely being held back by the scarce number of County Police officers assigned to the meeting. A confrontation, following his testimony to the council, between Khan and the crowd gathered outside the chambers also occurred. Shouting could be heard as Khan was escorted by an officer from the meeting. Later, members of the public would claim that Khan “flipped them off.” (Note: West Newsmagazine did not witness the event and cannot independently verify the details of the altercation.) Paul Berry III, who unsuccessfully ran against Page as the Republican candidate for county executive in 2019, appeared to be one of the chief organizers of the protest group. He spoke at length outside the government building prior to the meeting. And, when Page was called on to give his regular remarks during the meeting, it was Berry, seated in the front row, who turned and told the crowd to get up and leave. Most obliged his request with only a scattering of people remaining as the county executive spoke. When West Newsmagazine caught up with County Police Chief Mary Barton outside the chambers during the meeting, she indicated that she wasn’t concerned with the behavior or the demeanor of the large crowd. “I think this group, although they are enthusiastic, are very law-abiding citizens,” Barton said. “I think they are struggling like a lot of people are but I don’t believe they are going to cause any problems.” Barton noted that a process was in place to provide adequate security to government meetings even when large crowds were expected. “We figured there might be extra interest because of the mask mandate, so there is extra security,” Barton said. (Editor’s Note: On Friday, July 30, Barton announced her retirement amid allegations, by her, of discrimination on the job. Lt. Col. Kenneth Gregory has been named acting police chief.) Process over science The central question addressed by members of the council was rarely about the impact and appropriateness of face masks, but instead about the political procedure followed in issuing the mask mandate and whether the health department had the authority to do so without prior approval from the council. Both Fitch and Trakas asked Khan multiple questions over the process that was followed by the health department to reach the decision to issue the new order. Specifically, both men tried to pin down when it was decided that the order would be issued and why the council was not consulted. When Khan explained his team consulted with both Page and the county counselor’s office, prior to issuing the order, Fitch jumped on the opportunity. “So the legal department told you to ignore the state law and follow what Page told you?” Fitch asked. “Those were not the words I used, sir,” Khan replied. Nonetheless, the majority of the council was not going to be satisfied. Fitch, as well and many others, cited a recently enacted law regarding the use of “emergency powers” by local executives. The law, signed by Gov. Mike Parson in June, is designed to “establish greater accountability for local leaders.” Whether or not Page violated state law is now going to be an issue for the courts. Missouri Attorney Gen. Eric Schmitt has filed a lawsuit against Page and the county over the mandate. This is the second time in six months Schmitt’s office has sued St. Louis County. Clancy, in her post-meeting statement, said she believes the council has made a mistake but is looking forward to holding her fellow members accountable on their • We are able to age in place and never have to move again • We find comfort in knowing we have access to all levels of care • We appreciate our chef who prepares delicious meals and delectable treats • We love our activities program offered 10 hours a day • We enjoy the intimate environment where our caregivers become family • We adore our spacious rooms surrounded by beautiful gardens EXPERTS IN DEMENTIA CARE gardenviewcarecenter.com 636-537-3333 | CHESTERFIELD 314-861-0500 | DOUGHERTY FERRY 636-240-2840 | O’FALLON pledge to pass their own mask mandate. “As a legal matter, based upon what we have heard from legal experts, I do not believe the council’s vote last night has the intended effect of actually rescinding the public health order. It will, however, confuse the people and businesses of St. Louis County,” Clancy said. “As Dr. Khan said during his testimony last night, it will also cause more misery and more death. “I believe my colleagues when they say that they objected to the process, and not the content, of the mask order. For that reason, I will be introducing a mask order at the next council meeting.”
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