January 13, 2021 4:30 a.m.

Douglas County Commissioners say they are working to support local businesses, but “…cannot in good conscience support” the approach they say is being taken by Citizens Against Tyranny.

A release from the Board say they “…understand that we are in unprecedented and trying times and that people are desperate, especially those who have been forced out of business or out of a job”. The release said “We appreciate the passion in which people want to enact change, but we also believe that the actions taken need to be measured, well thought out, and include a wide range of concerns”.

A statement on the Citizens Against Tyranny website says, “Our most basic and non-negotiable rights to assemble, earn wages and control our private properties have been grievously infringed upon by Governor Kate Brown and lesser officials of the State of Oregon and local Oregon governments”. A declaration on the group’s website says all publicly elected officials who refuse to sign their document will be subject to a recall effort.

At a recent rally, State Senator Dallas Heard said the group wants to expose people who have filed complaints with the state about businesses not following COVID-19 rules.

Commissioners said they do not feel that “…singling people out, publicly shaming them, and potentially making them a target for retaliation for doing, or merely being accused of doing, what they believed to be the right thing in protecting themselves or neighbors, is the right approach”. The release said “We do not feel like banning people from businesses or access to the very things they need to survive is the right approach”.

Commissioners said they have been getting numerous questions about Citizens Against Tyranny. They noted that the Board has openly chosen not to enforce the Governor’s mandates relating to COVID-19, believing that providing information is better than attempting to force compliance. The release said this is one area where they agree with Heard.

The release said “The kind of community Douglas County will be when this pandemic is over, will be defined by how we treat one another today”.