The proposal to adopt the state of Oklahoma’s color-coded COVID-19 alert system failed after over an hour and a half of citizen concerns at the city of Enid special meeting last night. The vote was 4-3 against, with the deciding vote being cast by Mayor George Pankonin. The vote failed despite pleas from Ward 3 commissioner Ben Ezell.
As of July 31, 2020, Garfield County was at Orange Moderate Risk on the Oklahoma Color-Coded Alert System. This would have mandated wearing masks in most public places with a $9.00 fine for those who didn’t comply after receiving several warnings.
Citizens who attended last night’s meeting were very vocal in their displeasure with being mandated to wear PPE depending on the alert system level. Citizens specifically attacked Ben Ezzell.
A potential vote to recall and replace Ezzell could appear as soon as Feberuary, two election dates are available for a recall: Nov. 3 and Feb. 9. Over 200 signatures have been collected on a petition requesting an election to recall Ezzell. The documentation was submitted to the Enid City Clerk on Tuesday morning.
