COVID-19 local control request is ‘under advisement’
By Terry Murry on Friday, April 2nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – For the first time after writing several COVD-19-RELATED letters to Gov. Kate Brown, Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer says the Eastern Oregon Counties Association has received a response. The letter from county officials, including counties outside of the region, are asking for Gov. Kate Brown to return the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic back to local authorities.
At EOCA’s monthly meeting with a representative from the governor’s office held Wednesday, a Union County commissioner asked about the status of the letter.
“They said we’re actually looking at it,” Shafer said. “We’re taking it under advisement. We should have something for you in the next three weeks.”
He said it’s a reason for hope. “That’s better than anything else we’ve heard to date from any other letter we’ve sent, so we’re cautiously optimistic,” he said.
