Levy says Brown wonโ€™t Let โ€˜er Buck this year

By on Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

ECHO โ€“ Oregon Gov. Kate Brown will not be attending the Pendleton Round-Up this year. Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) said that is not the reason why the Eastern Oregon Womenโ€™s Coalition canceled the Governorโ€™s Luncheon at Blue Mountain Community College on Sept. 17. The luncheon was held the last time Brown didnโ€™t show.

โ€œWe hosted Sen. (Jeff) Merkley and (State Treasurer) Tobias Read, and they were great,โ€ she said. โ€œThey gave us federal updates and state updates on the economy.โ€

Levy said there were two main reasons behind the decision to cancel the event. The first is that the organization didnโ€™t want to put added strain on a hospital that is already feeling stress due to COVID-19. The other reason is Gov. Brownโ€™s mandate requiring masks be worn at outdoor gatherings.

โ€œWe didnโ€™t want to become the police and walk around and say, โ€˜Put your mask on, put your mask on,โ€™โ€ she said. โ€œWe didnโ€™t want to be responsible for trying to police masks.โ€

Levy said the luncheon began with a visit from Gov. John Kitzhaber and even though itโ€™s called the Governorโ€™s Luncheon, if COVID-19 backs off it will be held in 2022 and coming years whether the governor is there or not.

Photo: Gov. Kate Brown at the 2016 Pendleton Round-Up via Facebook