County votes to follow narrow definition of the vaccination mandate
By Terry Murry on Thursday, September 9th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 yesterday to obey Gov. Kate Brown’s vaccination requirements. One of those voting yes was Chairman George Murdock.
“We just can’t expose the county to that level of potential liability and risk,” Murdock said.
Murdock said he and Commissioner Dan Dorran voted in favor of obeying what he described as a very narrow interpretation of Brown’s requirements.
Murdock said the vaccination requirement applies to county employees who work directly with the citizens, especially children too young to be vaccinated.
“It applies only to people who are actually dealing with people, not a broad category,” he said.
Commissioner John Shafer voted against following Brown’s orders.
