CHENEY -- After two hours of heated debate over requiring employees to get a coronavirus vaccine, the City Council approved a resolution to produce a plan that would allow options for dissenting city employees.
No final decision on vaccine mandates has been made and further debate and negotiation is needed to create a definitive plan, officials said.
The framework will be created by Mayor Chris Grover and City Planner Mark Schuller, to be presented at the next meeting.
The overriding concern expressed by council members relates to employees quitting because of the mandate and related legal ramifications.
“My biggest fears are legal consequences that could come down; the financial consequences that could hurt this city, the liability that it could create,” Councilwoman Jill Weiszmann said.
She was the only council member to abstain from the vote.
“I just don’t see how this is going to protect our public,” she said. “I challenge you to show me the benefit that we gain by losing our valuable employees, and what it’s going to do to our city and what it’s already doing… I think people need to make their own medical decisions.”
In addition to the lengthy Council debate, nearly a dozen people spoke during the public comment portion, predominantly in opposition to any vaccine mandate.
Rep. Jenny Graham, R-Spokane, who represents the 6th Legislative District including Cheney, also spoke. She pointed to the majority consensus as a reason to vote against the mandate.
“In probably a 30-hour period, I have had well over 3,000 people who have contacted me, either by email or phone, regarding this issue,” Graham said.
She identified the health risks and dangers posed by forcing young, healthy people to be vaccinated. She was cut-off during her presentation for exceeding the strict 2-minute window allowed public commenters, as were many other speakers.
In addition, many community members pointed to concerns over government infringement on personal rights.
“The amount of time that has been provided for citizens to become fully vaccinated is completely and totally irrelevant to the fact that our City Council is infringing on the right of our employees and discriminating against those who chose not to vaccinate,” said one audience member. The statement was echoed several times, with many people pointing to Constitutional rights against being forced into making medical decisions.
“You can’t vaccinate this way,” said another resident. “It’s like the flu, it’s going to be here forever. It’s going to mutate and never go away.”
The topic is expected to be discussed again at the next City Council meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 12.
Scott Davis can be reached at news@cheneyfreepress.com.
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