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Home My WebLink AboutCorrespondence - BOCCMay 4, 2020 The Honorable Jay Inslee Office of the Governor PO Box 40002 Olympia, WA 98504-0002 Honorable Governor Inslee: GRANT COUNTY OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS P 0 Box 37 EPHRATA WA 9BB23 (509) 754-2011 We are living in unprecedented times. The effects of COVID-19 could not have been predicted, and we recognize the strong early response efforts you initiated in light of unknown consequences and dire forecasts provided by health experts. However, we are now seeing the unintended effects of these measures that lack any solid termination date. Washington State Commissioners are, and have been, on the front lines working with community members. People from every corner of the state are suffering. Businesses are closing, unemployment checks are not being received - and our citizens need help now. As Governor for our State, you declared an emergency on February 29, 2020. We have been patient, but this can only last so long. We now demand answers and solutions to restore our crumbling economy as we watch the people in our communities lose everything they have worked for. County Commissioners have united to express our concerns and how they affect the areas we represent. You, just as we are, are accountable to the very people who elected us under Article 1, Section 1 of the Washington State Constitution: All political power is inherent in the people, and the governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights. It is a disgrace to the State and to the Governor's office that you have chosen to ignore the people. Instead, you have decided to spend your time building the "Western Regional Pact". Washingtonians must come first. As Commissioners, we question how you had the time and resources to work with Governors from California, Oregon, Colorado, and Nevada, yet have failed to communicate with local leaders in this State who represent the very people you were elected to serve. Richard Stevens Tom Taylor District 1 District 2 Cindy Carter District 3 "To MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS, SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES, WHILE FOSTERING A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT." We collectively urge you to change the narrative immediately. Show us, and the people who have empowered us to serve them, that you not only hear these issues but are actively working to rectify this situation. You, under the emergency powers entrusted to the Governor, have the ability to turn this around. Every day, Commissioners must look the very people in the eye who elected us and tell them we are trying to change this. We serve the people, and we are tirelessly working to make a difference in their lives. We all need your help. Allow us to take back local control. COVID-19 is real and it is serious, but it effects every county differently. We strongly hope you will work with us and allow us to create plans within our individual counties that address our individual county needs. We stand ready to assist you ineg tting all of Washington back on the road to economic recovery. Sincerely, BOARD OF GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Cindy C r, Chair Tom Taylor Richard Stevens :bjv Cc: County Commissioners of Washington State Grant County Board of County Commissioners Press Release For Immediate Release May 5, 2020 For more information contact: Grant County Commissioners Office Brittany Rang PO Box 37 Ephrata, Washington 98823 Phone: (509) 754-2011 ext 2937 GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC STATEMENT EPHRATA — As the Grant County Commissioners, we do not want to give misleading information that we have the authority to open the County. This statutory authority lies with the Governor and we are required to follow the Governors order. We understand the plight and angst that all of our constituents are going through. We have sent several letters to the Governor asking him to reconsider opening Grant County and have been in constant communication with the Governor's Office. Attached is the most recent letter we are sending in hopes to encourage Governor Inslee to allow us to take back local control and reopen our county. The Courthouse has remained open during this time and all offices are still available for services, however many offices have chosen to close physically to the public at the discretion of the Elected Official or Department Head. We have continued to receive guidance on reopening offices to the public and have again, left it to the Elected Officials and Department Heads discretion. We want to thank you for the numerous phone calls and emails to our office. We have heard the many requests to reopen and we assure all of you, as soon as we are authorized to do so, we WILL begin reopening Grant County in accordance to the Governors phased approach (see attached image). We ask that you please continue to be diligent and understanding during this tumultuous time. End of Notice WASHINGTON'S PHASED APPROACH Reopening Business and Modifying Physical Distancing Measures High -Risk Populations* Recreation Gatherings (social, spiritual) Travel Business/ Employers Phase 1 Continue to Stay Home, Stay Healthy Some outdoor recreation (hunting, fishing, golf, boating, hiking) None Drive in spiritual service with one household per vehicle Only essential travel Essential businesses open Existing construction that meet agreed upon criteria Landscaping Automobile sales Retail (curb -side pick-up orders only) Car washes Pet walkers Phase 2 Continue to Stay Home, Stay Healthy All outdoor recreation involving fewer than 5 people outside your household (camping, beaches, etc.) Gather with no more than 5 people outside your household per week Limited non-essential travel within proximity of your home Remaining manufacturing New construction In-home/domestic services (nannies, housecleaning, etc.) Retail (in-store purchases allowed with restrictions) Real estate Professional services/office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged) Hair and nail salons/Barbers Housecleaning Restaurants <50% capacity table size no larger than 5 Phase 3 Continue to Stay Home, Stay Healthy Outdoor group rec. sports activities (5-50 people) Recreational facilities at <50% capacity (public pools, etc.) Allow gatherings with no more than 50 people Resume non-essential travel Restaurants <75% capacity/ table size no larger than 10 Bars at <25% capacity Indoor gyms at <50% capacity Movie theaters at <50% capacity Government (telework remains strongly encouraged) Libraries Museums All other business activities not yet listed except for nightclubs and events with greater than 50 people Phase 4 Resume public interactions, with physical distancing Resume all recreational activity Allow gatherings with >50 people Continue non-essential travel Nightclubs Concert venues Large sporting events Resume unrestricted staffing of worksites, but continue to practice physical distancing and good hygiene `High-risk populations are currently defined by CDC as: persons 65 years of age and older; people of all ages with underlying medial conditions (particularly not well controlled; including peo le with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, people who have serious heart conditions, people who are immunocompromised, people with severe obesity, people with diabetes, people with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, and people with liver disease; people who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility. INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES SHOULD FOLLOW ALL REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE DURING ALL PHASES