Council votes against facial coverings 4-2

SANDPOINT — The City Council voted against mandating facial coverings in the city on Wednesday.

The mandate, proposed by Councilwoman Deb Ruehle, was defeated on a 4-2 vote after an extended discussion. Voting against the measure were councilmen Andy Groat, John Darling, Joel Aispuro and Councilwoman Shannon Williamson. Ruehle and Councilwoman Kate McAlister voted in favor of the mandate.

The proposal’s defeat drew victorious cheers by a crowd of mask opponents who gathered outside City Hall. The group could be heard chanting their opposition to the proposed mask mandate while the council discussed the matter.

Ruehle proposed the mask mandate after hearing from constituents who are concerned about the spread of novel coronavirus in the Panhandle.

“I brought this forward because I was asked by constituents,” Ruehle said.

The proposal sparked 883 emails to the city, with half supporting the measure and half opposing it, according to city officials.

“It would make a statement where our priorities are as a community,” said Mayor Shelby Rognstad.

Rognstad noted that Sandpoint was a tourist community before the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We’re a tourist destination, especially during COVID,” Rognstad added, referring to the hordes of people from other states who are coming here to avoid lockdowns and infections in more populous places.

Williamson noted there was passionate debate on both sides of the issue and noted that each side was intractable in their positions. Moreover, Williamson questioned whether the council was qualified to implement such a mandate.

“The six of us are not qualified to make a decision on public health,” Williamson said.

Groat argued that the community is already being diligent in slowing the spread of the virus, as evidenced by the relatively fewer cases in Bonner County.

“It sounds like our community is doing a good job, if not a great job,” Groat said.

Aispuro had a similar take.

“We’re a very capable community,” Aispuro said.

McAlister, meanwhile, said the business community and residents have voiced support for a mask mandate.

“I think we need to listen to our constituents,” said McAlister, who added that it was sad that facial coverings has become such a divisive issue.

Darling, who was born and raised in Bonner County, said he chose to remain in the community because of the light hand of government here.

“I absolutely do not support a local government mandating this,” said Darling.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.