BOCC comment session focused on broadband, mandates

DAYTON—The Columbia County Commissioners held a public comment session on October 18.

The first speaker, Cindi John, questioned why the contract for Blazin’ Burgers, the restaurant vendor at the Touchet Valley Golf Course, had not been renewed. John was concerned the contract was not renewed because the owner and staff were not enforcing masking or vaccine mandates.

John said mandates were ‘getting out of hand’ when they close businesses that opt not to require proof of vaccines.

“I got to tell you, the first thing my doctor asked me was ‘did I get the vaccine?’ and when I said no, he had a big sigh of relief,” John said. “This cancer stuff is prevalent in the vaccine, and it is not being publicized at all.”

She said it was tiring to have rules imposed on citizens’ rights. John acknowledged the need for masks, and she wore one herself but questioned why Dayton was standing behind those who enforce vaccine mandates.

John, who is running for City Council Position 3, later apologized to the commissioners and the golf course board on social media after learning the vendor’s contract had not been renewed based on performance and record, not on mask or vaccination compliance.

The next speaker, who did not state their name, spoke to the commissioners about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

“Broadband, in my opinion, is something that would be nice to have, or maybe something that we want, but it’s not a need,” he said.

The speaker offered items he felt would be better suited for the funds, including offering premium pay for essential workers.

“What about all of these folks who, while everyone else was told to stay home, had to keep working,” the speaker said. “There is still an opportunity to pay a premium to pay these folks wages, for having been on the front lines of this so-called pandemic.”

Seth Murdock, of Dayton, reiterated that he does not want the county to give the Port of Columbia the funds needed to complete the broadband project, saying that he didn’t think it was necessary to bring new businesses to town.

“I find it hard to believe anyone who is coming here is going to say that it is going to be a deal-breaker for them, and if it is a dealbreaker that there is not publicly-provided broadband. Then you have to ask yourself, ‘is that the type of person that you want starting a business in your town, who needs something that is set up that’s not traditionally been that way, and it shouldn’t be,” Murdock said. “The government is not there to provide you with the means to start a business, and to run a business.”

He closed his statement advising the commissioners not to give the money to the Port for what “appears to be a pet project.”

Aneesha Dieu said that she pays $40 per month for her internet and has never had a problem. She has concerns about people using broadband which she believes would cost approximately $100 per month.

Dieu asked if the commissioners had considered using the ARPA funds to purchase Touchet Valley Television, as it is already set up and just needs someone to run it.

She said the ARPA funds could also be used for childcare, as there is no childcare available in the area or salary pay for essential workers.

Pete Paolino said he did not think broadband was bad but was bothered by a company bringing equipment in and charging for the service. He was also bothered by a perceived lack of fairness, as the original project map focused heavily on the City of Dayton and immediate surrounding areas.

“I’m from the old school. If everybody can’t have it, nobody should have it,” he said. He spoke of farmers outside of town, in the Turner area, who could benefit from the project but were not within the map boundary.

Nick DePaulo, of Dayton, echoed previous speakers, urging the commissioners to redirect the ARPA funds to something other than the broadband project.

“This is not a need for this town, at all, right now,” he said. “I disagree with spending money on the broadband.”

Another speaker had concerns about the speed limit increase on South Touchet Road after road construction was completed roughly a year ago. The speed limit increased from 40 mph to 50 mph. He said the increase had encouraged drivers to break the new limit at even faster speeds. He said many neighbors had shared their concerns about pets, livestock, and people living in the area.

“I would like to see that speed limit reduced, at least for the first mile, if not the first mile and a half,” he said. “I’d like to see that reduced back to 40.”

Commissioner Marty Hall said the speaker was not the first person to approach the commissioners, and they would look into the issue. He said the limit was increased to obtain federal funds for road repairs.

Dieu asked to comment on one final topic and urged the commissioners to consider approaching Columbia County Fire District 3 about its reasonable accommodation plan, formulated in response to the statewide vaccine mandate affecting medical personnel. She said the accommodation plan felt excessive and would cost volunteers in the future.

Another speaker agreed with Dieu, saying that he was a ‘victim’ of not being able to continue volunteering medical services due to the accommodations.

“I could have participated in (the accommodation), through an exemption had I wanted to go that route, but by doing so, I would be acquiescing to that system as being legitimate, which it is not. It is illegal, unconstitutional, ad nauseum,” the speaker said.

More comments were received about the recent mandates, with speakers expressing that the mandates would hurt volunteer numbers and interest. Calls for ‘other leadership’ to stand against the state and the imposed mandates were heard.

Commissioner Ryan Rundell commented on a recently- purchased truck for the E9-11 director, which has been commented on in letters to the editor published in local newspapers. Rundell said the prior vehicle was due to be replaced. He said multiple people reviewed the new vehicle’s price, $78,000, and all decisions were thought out.

“I know that this was not a popular decision, we have seen a lot of things about it, but it was a call that we made, and I stand behind it,” Rundell said. “It may not be popular, but I think, overall, it was made in a logical way.”

Commissioner Amerein, who joined in from home, said that he was one of the commissioners involved with the hiring negotiations when E9-11 Director Ashley Strickland was hired, which included allowing personal use of his designated county vehicle. Commissioner Amerein said that this was more cost-effective for the county than trying to compete with the salary that Strickland made before moving to the area.

He said that taxpayer money is not being used to fund the truck, but, instead, the cost was paid for with grants.

A brief discussion about the contract details was held before the commissioners adjourned the session.