Androscoggin County Commissioners vote down anti-mask resolution
The commissioners met via Zoom Wednesday night to discuss the controversial anti-mask resolution, proposed by Republican Commissioner Isiah Lary Author: Zach Blanchard (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 6:28 PM EST February 17, 2021 Updated: 5:36 AM EST February 18, 2021
AUBURN, Maine
Editor s Note: The above video aired on Feb. 10.
In a 1-6 vote, Androscoggin County Commissioners on Wednesday voted down an anti-mask resolution that has caused controversy among the commissioners and the community in recent weeks.
The virtual meeting came after several un-masked supporters showed up to speak out on the issue at a meeting two weeks ago, and after Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson said he and his deputies would no longer attend meetings in person unless the mask mandate was enforced.
Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
AUBURN After receiving a warning last week from the Maine Attorney General’s office, the chairwoman for the Androscoggin County Commission announced that only commissioners and county employees will be allowed to attend in-person meetings.
Chairwoman Sally Christner wrote in an email to the commissioners, Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson and Chief Deputy William Gagne that “due to the space constraints, we will be only allowing commissioners and employees to attend in-person meetings.”
“We are presently working on a Zoom option for the public to view the meetings,” Christner said.
Christner’s statement arrived shortly after she received a letter from Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey telling the commissioners that they were “legally obligated to require that all persons attending public meetings, including the commissioners themselves, wear face coverings.”
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As the state sought to protect its prisons from COVID-19 infection, it transferred that risk to the counties’ detention facilities, writes the Androscoggin County's attorney.