SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Even with social distancing in place, it was standing room only as councilors debated whether the city should have a mask mandate.
After more than two hours of public comment, the proposed mask mandate in Sioux Falls was rejected by a 5-4 count on Tuesday night after Mayor Paul TenHaken stepped in to break a 4-4 tie.
The ordinance would have required face coverings to be worn by people in most “indoor public places where 6-foot social distancing cannot be achieved or maintained.”
Councilor Pat Starr was in favor of the mandate asking, “If we don’t do this, what should we do instead?”
“We have to slow the spread. This mask mandate is way too late. We should have been doing this in August. It may be too little, but it’s not too late,” said Starr. “I’m here to show the political courage to lead.”
Councilor Greg Neitzert saw things differently.
“I see a mandate that is based on hope it will work without evidence that it works, and fear. I don’t want to live in a city where you call the police on someone for not wearing a mask,” said Neitzert.
“We all care about people. We don’t need to attack each other’s motives. You can disagree, but let’s not be disagreeable about it. And with this council there hasn’t been personal attacks. I’m not sure what we can do. This is a big step and I don’t think the evidence is there. Even if it was I don’t think I can go that far based on principal,” concluded Neitzert with a no vote.
When called to break the 4 – 4 tie, Mayor Paul TenHaken commented that he obviously believes in masks and the importance they play in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“I was the first one to wear a mask on this dias to wear a mask regularly and I still do today. I believe in it,” said TenHaken.
“The unenforceable nature of this is a challenge and, I tell you what, this has been a bugger of a year for the Sioux Falls Police Department. I’m going to defend those cops and not put anything else on their plate,” said TenHaken.
“I believe the small uptick we’ll see in compliance is not worth the community division that this will create,” TenHaken said Tuesday night as he ended the debate.
