Aug 03, 2021 City Council

[00:00:02]

>> SPEAKER: WILL OPEN TONIGHT AUBURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR AUGUST 3, 2021, AND WILL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.

LYNZI WITH ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL) WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THEN REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

(RECITAL OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE) I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

(SILENCE) >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS]

GREG? (VIDEO PLAYING) THIS IS MAYOR ANDERSON WERE PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR AUGUST 2021 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AND MANY OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES WITH THEIR SERVICE AWARDS.

(MUSIC PLAYING) >> SPEAKER: I'M PLEASED TODAY TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST 2021.

I HAVE A MEMO TODAY FROM ERIC CARSON OUR WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR WRITTEN TO MAKE AN CROUCHED THE AUBURN CITY MANAGER. IT IS MY HONOR TO NOMINATE TOMMY DEREK MAY AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST 2021.

DERYK WAS HIRED AS A UTILITY MAINTENANCE WORKER WITH THE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT COLLECTION SYSTEM DIVISION IN OCTOBER OF 2013. THAT'S A LOT OF WORDS.

DERYK WAS PROMOTED TO HEAVY EQUIPMENT OFFICER ON AUGUST OF 2014 AND PROMOTED AGAINST TWO SUPERVISOR IN FEBRUARY 2017.

DERYK PREVIOUSLY SPENT FOUR YEARS WORKING AS THE UTILITY MAINTENANCE WORKER WITH THE AUBURN WATER WORKS BOARD.

DERYK'S NORMAL DUTIES CONSIST OF SUPERVISING VARIOUS MAINTENANCE STAFF AND PARTICIPATING IN CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ACTIVITIES IN THE CITY'S SANITARY SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM. DERYK COORDINATES THE SCHEDULE OF CRUISE, RESPOND TO CUSTOMER AND CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND PRIORITIZES INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIR AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS RELATED TO THE CITIES APPROXIMATELY 350 MILES OF SEWER PIPING AND 9000 MANHOLES. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT HARD WORK. DURING THIS TIME AS THE COLLECTION SYSTEM SUPERVISOR DEREK HAS WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT SEVERAL LARGE IN HOUSE CITY SANITARY PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED ON TIME OR EVEN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

AND AT A SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS TO THE CITY.

DERYK HAS TACKLED EACH PRODUCT HAD ON AND WILLINGLY ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH THEM. HE MENTORS AND ENCOURAGES HIS CREWS WHEN ADVERSITY PRESENTS ITSELF.

SOME EXAMPLES OF RECENTLY COMPLETED SEWER MAIN REPLACEMENT OR EXPANSION PROJECTS THAT DERYK HAS HELPED PLAN AND SUPERVISE INCLUDE MAJOR WORK ON SECTIONS OF EAST GLENN AVENUE, SOUTH COLLEGE ST., TUBE HER STREET AND ANNA LEE DRIVE.

CURRENTLY DERYK IS SUPERVISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF KNEW SEWER LINE REROUTE PROJECT AROUND THE CORNER OF SAMFORD AVE. AND GAY STREET. HE TAKES PRIDE IN HIS WORK IS ROUTINELY DISPLAYED THROUGH HIS ACTIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

THIS DEDICATION AND WAY OF THINKING HAS BEEN KEY IN THE SUCCESS OF BEING ABLE TO TAKE ON MULTIPLE PROJECTS WHILE ALSO MAKING SURE THE STAFF IS AVAILABLE TO CONTINUE PERFORMING SEWER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND PROVIDING CUSTOMER CARE THAT THE AUBURN RESIDENTS DESERVE. FOR THESE REASONS AND MANY OTHERS I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE TOMMY DEREK MAY AS THE AUGUST EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. (MUSIC PLAYING) (MUSIC PLAYING) (MUSIC PLAYING)

(MUSIC PLAYING) >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[00:05:18]

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE EMPLOYEES. TO MANY OF THEM TO GO THROUGH.

AS YOU SAW THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB FOR US HERE AT THE CITY THAT WOULD RECOGNIZE AS WELL.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS.

DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE HOVEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT SO WE MOVE QUICKLY THROUGH THAT.

NOW IT'S TIME FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS AND I WILL START WITH THE COUNCIL FIRST BEFORE I MAKE MY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL THAT HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT THEY WOULD LIKE

TO MAKE TONIGHT? >> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY THANKS TO AUBURN UNIVERSITY FACILITIES AND GROUNDS PARTICULARLY LANDSCAPING FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS THEY'VE MADE TO THE UNIVERSITY OWNED PROPERTIES ALONG NORTH COLLEGE STREET. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO A GATEWAY TO OUR CITY. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNSEL HAVE ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE TO SAY? I WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE AHEAD.

JUST A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS. TOMORROW IS THE UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN KICKOFF AND IT WILL BE HELD AT THE FOOD BANK AND A MEMBER OF THE UNITED WAY BOARD IS ON OUR CITY COUNCIL, MR. JAY HOVE AND I WILL LET YOU TAKE IT FROM THERE.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, RON. TOMORROW IS THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF. IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO USE OUR VOLUNTEER FORCE.

WE HAVE 120 PLUS VOLUNTEERS AT THE FOOD BANK WILL PACK 20,000 MEALS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE CITY TO CELEBRATE ONE OF THE 27 AGENCIES THAT THE UNITED WAY SUPPORTS.

AND TO KICKOFF AND CELEBRATE THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN.

I ALWAYS LIKE TO POINT OUT ITS LOCAL FUNDS RAISED -- FUNDS RAISED LOCALLY TO BE USED LOCALLY.

ALWAYS BEEN HONORED TO SERVE ON THE BOARD FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

SO BE LOOKING FOR SOME INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN

CONTRIBUTE. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, JAY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING WITH YOU TOMORROW MORNING AT THE FOOD BANK.

THIS PAST FRIDAY NIGHT WAS SHEERS ON THE CORNER.

FOR EVERYTHING I UNDERSTAND WAS A GREAT NIGHT.

I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO PITCHED IN TO MAKE THAT A SPECIAL NIGHT. ALL OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS, CERTAINLY THE DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS AND MANY OF THEIR VOLUNTEERS.

IT WAS A GREAT TIME FOR ALL AND IT WAS A GREAT EVENING.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS HAVING THEIR ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE CITY THIS FRIDAY. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PICK THAT UP THROUGH THEIR FACEBOOK SITE OR THE INSTAGRAMS SITE.

YOU WILL BE AT 9 O'CLOCK SO WE ASK YOU TO PARTICIPATE WITH US AND WATCH THAT. THIS PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I WENT TO MONTGOMERY AND HAD A LUNCH WITH MAYOR STEPHEN REID FROM MONTGOMERY AND MAYOR TONY HAYGOOD FROM TUSKEGEE, TWO FIND GENTLEMEN THEY ARE. WE KICKED AROUND IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER SINCE WE SHARE THE SAME HIGHWAY AND A LOT OF THE SAME AREA HERE IN CENTRAL AND EAST ALABAMA.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THOSE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO COLLABORATIVELY TO MAKE ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES BETTER.

YESTERDAY WE HAD A GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CAME FROM MONTGOMERY THAT ACTUALLY CAME FROM THE GOVERNOR.

SHE ANNOUNCED OBJECTS, IT'S FORTHCOMING HERE IN THE CITY OF AUBURN AND MS. KRAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW IF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM COULD SPEAK TO WHAT OBJECTS IS.

>> SPEAKER: ECONOMIC DIRECTOR PHILIP DUNLAP WILL BE HAPPY TO

ADD A FEW THINGS. >> SPEAKER: I WOULD BE GLAD --

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> SPEAKER: FOR THE BROADCAST

-- >> SPEAKER: OKAY.

(LAUGHTER) IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY -- SUNDAY.

IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR WELL OVER A YEAR.

WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETINGS WITH THIS INVESTMENT GROUP IN JUNE OE PANDEMIC. DISCUSSIONS WERE MADE ABOUT BUILDING A SOPHISTICATED 21ST CENTURY DATA CENTER HERE IN AUBURN. WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM IN GETTING THIS PUT TOGETHER. THEY OBTAINED THEIR FINANCING, SUBSTANTIAL FINANCING. IT'S A LOCAL GROUP OF BUSINESSPEOPLE WITH THE CEO BEING OUT OF ATLANTA AND WHO HAS NOW MOVED TO AUBURN. IT IS NOT A HEAVY JOB CREATOR, BUT IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE. THEY WILL CREATE AT FULL RAMP UP THEY WILL CREATE AROUND 20 POSITIONS.

BUT THESE WILL ALL BE VERY HIGH PAYING JOBS.

IT HAS THE IMPACT OF AN INDUSTRY OF 50 OR 60 JOBS.

SO IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO VERY HIGH SPEED INTERNET. IT WILL CREATE A NETWORK OF GLOBAL CONNECTIONS THAT WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE IN AUBURN.

IT WILL GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE-BASED JOBS, IT JOBS, MORE SOPHISTICATED INVESTMENT.

[00:10:03]

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, PHILIP. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TEAMS HARD WORK ON THAT PROJECT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING UP AND BEING PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. MS. CROUSE, I WAS GOING TO ASK IF YOU GIVE THE COMMUNITY AN UPDATE ON THE PARKING DECK THAT

OFFICIALLY OPENED ON FRIDAY. >> SPEAKER: ON FRIDAY THE RIGHT STREET PARKING DECK DELIVERING 350 SPACES TO DOWNTOWN AUBURN OPENED. WE OPENED IT FOR FREE AS WE WORK THROUGH TO MAKE SURE OUR KIOSK AND CREDIT CARD MACHINES ARE WORKING. WE ANTICIPATE THIS THURSDAY WE WILL ACTUALLY BEGIN CHARGING IN THE DECK.

EVERYTHING IS FUNCTIONAL. WE HAD 270 CARS PARKED THERE FRIDAY NIGHT FOR THE DOWNTOWN EVENT ALONE.

SO THAT SHOWS HOW IMPORTANT THAT DECK IS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH DOWNTOWN EVENTS.

I'M VERY HAPPY AUBURNBANK DOCS THE OTHER SIDE OF DOWNTOWN WITH ANOTHER PARKING GARAGE THAT REALLY GIVES CITIZENS THE OPPORTUNITY. THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THEY CAN GO ON THE EDGES OF DOWNTOWN TO GET PARKING QUICK AND THEN WALK WALKED ON IN. SO WE HAVE A NICE FLORESCENT GRASS OUT THERE THAT IS ARTIFICIAL IN NATURE BUT IS MEANT TO BE VERY MULTIPURPOSE IN TERMS OF STORM EVENTS, PEOPLE'S PETS, OTHER THINGS THAT GO ON DOWNTOWN.

IT CAN BE HOSED OFF, SPRAYED OFF, BLOWN OFF, WHATEVER NEEDS TO HAPPEN. KIDS CAN RUN AROUND AND PLAY AND NOT BE IN THE STREET. I THINK IT'S VERY SUCCESSFUL RIGHT NOW AND AGAIN WE ARE VERY THANKFUL TO THE ALABAMA BAPTIST STATE BOARD OF ADMISSIONS WHO PARTED WITH US AND THE AUBURN BAPTIST STUDENT UNIONS AND PROGRESS WITH MOVING IN.

THEY ARE IN A CONDOMINIUM ARRANGEMENT WITH US AND THEY OWN A NICE 7000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE IN THAT FACILITY AS WELL AS 15 PARKING SPACES ARE DEDICATED TO THEM.

THAT WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECT.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND LOOK FORWARD TO ITS MAXIMUM USE.

HOPEFULLY THIS FALL. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THERE WAS A VERY DIFFICULT AND COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT OCCURRED IN A NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE NORTHERN PART OF OUR CITY.

TONIGHT I WANTED TO PUBLICLY THANK OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM, OUR POLICE AND OUR FIRE TEAM FOR THE WAY THEY MANAGE TO THAT SITUATION. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND THEY MITIGATED IT. I THOUGHT VERY PROFESSIONALLY.

WERE ABLE TO KEEP OTHERS OUT OF HARM'S WAY.

NEARBY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS WITHIN THE FAMILY.

PAUL, IF YOU WILL EXTEND OUR SINCERE THANKS AS A BODY TO THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED SO HARD FOR YOU AND OUR POLICE AND FIRE DIVISION. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR HOW THEY MANAGE THAT VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION THAT EVENING.

NEXT WEEK IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

ON AUGUST 10, IT IS ALWAYS A DIFFICULT TIME IN AUBURN AS PEOPLE READJUST THEMSELVES TO THE WAYS OF GETTING BACK AND FORTH TO ALL OF OUR SCHOOL CAMPUSES.

WE HAVE GOTTEN USED TO A DIFFERENT PACE OF LIFE HERE THIS SUMMER AND IT SEEMS THAT THAT FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL ALWAYS HITS US SQUARE IN THE NOSE AND WERE NOT QUITE READY FOR US.

I ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO PLAN WELL FOR NEXT WEEK AND MAKE SURE YOU GET UP AND ENOUGH TIME TO GET YOUR CHILD SAFELY WHERE THEY NEED TO GO AND TO WHERE YOU CAN PATIENTLY ENJOY THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD WHICH IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TRADITION RICH TIME FOR ALL CHILDREN AS THEY CONTINUE TO GROW IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO WE HAVE WORKED WITH OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM TO TRY TO PLAN WELL.

WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT BOTTLENECKS IN OUR CITY WITH MULTIPLE SCHOOLS ON ONE ROAD.

I JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

SPEAKING OF SCHOOLS, MANY OF YOU HERE TONIGHT THAT WANT TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT A RECENT DECISION THAT WAS MADE BY OUR SCHOOL BOARD. THERE IS NOTHING MORE PRECIOUS IN THIS COMMUNITY THAN OUR CHILDREN AND WE RESPECT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN.

I WANT TO BE VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD WITH YOU AND SAY THAT THE AUBURN TO THE COUNCIL HAS NO OVERSIGHT OVER THE DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE CODE OF ALABAMA'S VERY SPECIFIC AND CLEAR THAT THE POWERS NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOLS LIVE WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE AUBURN CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THAT IS THEIR ONLY ROLE.

WE DO OFFER RESOURCES AND THIS CITY HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR MANY YEARS AND PROVIDING THEM EXTRA RESOURCES THAT ARE NOT MANDATED BY THE RULES AND LAWS OF OUR STATE TO ALLOW THEM TO RUN A SCHOOL SYSTEM EVEN BETTER.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE WALK AWAY FROM OUR ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY BECAUSE WE DO MAKE THOSE APPOINTMENTS.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THINGS THAT ARE CONCERNING TO YOU SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO THE CITY COUNCIL. SO WE CARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY TO US TONIGHT. BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR IN WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS NO MEANS, NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO REVIEW OR TO CHANGE THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE BY THE SCHOOL BOARD LAST WEEK. YOUR TIME TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME AT THE END OF THE MEETING.

IT IS LABELED CITIZENS OPEN FORUM AND WE WILL ASK YOU TO

[00:15:03]

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]

>> SPEAKER: HOPE YOU'RE ALL DOING WELL.

SUMMERS DWINDLING DOWN EVERYONE IS GETTING -- I'M SURE YOU'LL NOTICE SOME INFLUX IN TRAFFIC ALREADY.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING IN THE AUBURN COMMUNITY LATELY. I'M SURE DEFINITELY YOU'VE -- INCOMING FRESHMAN AND SHE WANTED IN THE WOMEN'S GENETICS ALL AROUND. AND ANOTHER HER NAME IS MARCEL AND SHE'S FROM BIRMINGHAM AND SHE WON MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEAM. TWO EXTREMELY BRIGHT FRESHMAN.

ONLY TO ABOUT 5000 COMING IN. IT'S IS OUR LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS AND WITH THAT COMES OUR LARGEST GREEK PORTION OF THE CLASS. WE HAVE ABOUT 2000 PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR PANHELLENIC RECRUITMENT WHICH KICKS OFF THIS FRIDAY.

LOTS OF GIRLS BECOMING IN THIS FRIDAY AND THAT WILL LAST ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL NEXT FRIDAY AUGUST 14 WHICH IS MIDDAY.

THAT WILL ALSO BE A VERY BUSY DAY ON CAMPUS.

AND AUGUST 15 IS CONVOCATION AND THAT IS UP IN OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS THIS YEAR. YOU WILL BE IN THE STADIUM.

YOU WILL BE A HUGE PEP RALLY FOR THE FRESHMAN.

AND FIRST AID CLASS OF THE 16. WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID UNIVERSITY HAS SET NEW MASS GUIDELINES.

HAVE TO BE WORN IN ALL CAMPUS BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. THE BUSES THAT RIDE ALL OVER AUBURN AND THEIR GREAT AND ELECTRIC AND MODERN AND QUIET WHICH IS NICE. STUDENTS WILL BE WEARING MASKS AND TAKING CARE OF ALL OF THAT BUT WE ARE STILL HEAVILY PUSHING FOR VACCINATION. WE REALLY WANT AS MANY STUDENTS TO BE VACCINATED AS THEY CAN. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

WE ARE EXCITED FOR SCHOOL TO START AND US TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY. THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR STUDENTS BEING BACK WITH US THIS YEAR AS WELL. AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

THIS IS CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS. THIS IS ONLY ITEMS THAT ARE ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL WE ASK THAT YOU COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES. IT IS ONLY ITEMS THAT ARE ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT. ANYONE?

>> SPEAKER: MAYOR, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE OUT THAT DIDN'T GET IN THAT WANTS TO SPEAK TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. WE ARE CHECKING RIGHT NOW TO BE SURE. WE ARE GOOD.

I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR THAT ANYONE THAT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE IN CHAMBERS IS A SIGN UP LIST AND WE WILL, IF THEY WANT TO SPEAK EVERYONE IS BEING BROADCAST IN THE COURTROOM IN THE HALLWAYS AND THEY WILL KNOW IF YOU WILL GO DOWN A LIST TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE GETS IN THAT WANTS TO SPEAK.

>> SPEAKER: ALL RIGHT. TURN THIS OVER TO YOU, MS. KRAUT

[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS]

CITY MANAGER'S MEDICATION. >> SPEAKER: CITY MANAGER'S COMMUNICATION THIS EVENING WE HAVE ONE VACANCY ON THE LEE COUNTY YOUTH DEVELOP AND CENTER. THAT APPOINTMENT WILL BE MADE FOR SEPTEMBER 7, 2021, MEETING. OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS IS

[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]

INDIVIDUALLY? >> SPEAKER: SEEING NO ONE'S MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> SPEAKER: SO MOVED. >> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR. (VOICE VOTE)

>> SPEAKER: CONSENT AGENDA IS PAST.

>> SPEAKER: LET ME SLIP MY PAGES.

[9. ORDINANCES.]

TO PARTIALLY REFINANCE 2014A GENERAL OBLIGATION SEWER ORDINANCE AND 2014 MIGHT BE GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL WARRANTS TO REALIZE A SAVINGS TO THE CITY AND ITS CITIZENS OF OVER $2 MILLION. OVER THE REMAINING LIFE OF THE ISSUES. UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY AND ROLL CALL VOTE FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT AND ORDINANCE ADOPTION

ARE REQUIRED. >> SPEAKER: WILL BE HANDLING THIS LIKE WE DID EARLIER. WE WILL HAVE A DOUBLE ROLL CALL SO AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO HAVE A MOTION?

>> SPEAKER: I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASK.

>> SPEAKER: WE HAVE MOTION AND SECOND.

ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH THE VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? LINDSAY, ROLL CALL?

(ROLL CALL VOTE) >> SPEAKER: TO HAVE A MOTION TO

APPROVE? >> SPEAKER: MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: MOTION -- THE SUN WILL HAVE DISCUSSION. I KNOW THERE IS REPRESENTATIVE

[00:20:01]

FROM FRAZER LANIER HERE TONIGHT. >> SPEAKER: FRAZER LANIER OUR BOND UNDERWRITER AND HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO KIND OF TALK THROUGH.

YOU COME UP TO THE PODIUM AND GIVE YOU A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S GOING ON. WE GOT SOME REALLY PHENOMENAL INTEREST RATES AND HE WILL GO THROUGH A GOOD BIT OF THAT AND

WHERE OUR BOND RATINGS SIT. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

I'M JOHN MUSIQUE WITH FRAZER LANIER.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH YOU ALL FOR YEARS.

WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS AND GOT SOME GREAT NEWS FOR YOU. YOU GOT A AA PLUS CREDIT RATING STANDARD & POOR'S AND THEY -- THAT IS ONE NOTCH BELOW THE ABSOLUTE HIGHS FROM AAA. WE THINK ONE DAY YOU WILL BE THERE. WE HOPE SOON.

THE RATING AGENCIES WERE EXTREMELY COMPLIMENT THREE OF THE STAFF, RON AND MEGAN AND ALICE AND ERIKA.

ALL DONE A TERRIFIC JOB. THEY WERE VERY CALM ENTRY OF THE CITY AND TALKED ABOUT IN WRITING ONE THING IN PARTICULAR YOUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP HIGH-PAYING JOBS HERE.

THAT IS UNUSUAL. THESE ARE TO JUST CALL CENTER JOBS. THESE ARE REAL HIGH-PAYING, HIGH EDUCATION JOBS, EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN GOING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. SHE TOUCHED ON MOST OF THE DETAILS. THE INTEREST RATE ON THE FIRST SERIES WAS 1.88. THE SECOND WAS 1.87.

SO YOU ALREADY IT'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR EDUCATION AND YOU ALL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY ON REFINANCING, ALL OF THE SAME TIME. SO I APPLAUD YOU PICK THIS IS A GREAT STORY AND ANY QUESTIONS OF ME?

>> SPEAKER: ANY QUESTIONS FOR JOHN?

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SPEAKER: WE APPRECIATE. >> SPEAKER: I NOTE JOHN LEADS A TEAM AT FRAZER LANIER BUT OUR LONGTIME UNDERWRITER BOBBY REALLY WANTED TO BE HERE BUT HE HAD A FAMILY OBLIGATION THIS EVENING. SO JOHN IS ALWAYS WITH HIM ANYWAY AND AGAIN HE ACTUALLY LEADS THE FIRM.

BUT BOB SENDS HIS WARM REGARDS TO EVERYBODY AND SAYS HE WILL

SEE YOU VERY SOON. >> SPEAKER: AS LONG AS JOHN BRINGS 1.88 HE CAN COME BEFORE BOB ANYTIME.

>> SPEAKER: 1.88 AND OVER $2 MILLION IN SAVINGS IS A GOOD MESSAGE. HE CAN COME ANYTIME.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, JOHN. WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS.

>> SPEAKER: YOU GOT IT. >> SPEAKER: ANY QUESTIONS FROM HIS CROUCH BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD FOR A VOTE? I WANTED THEY -- SAY THANK YOU, ALLISON, YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE CARRYING A LOT OF THE HEAVY LIFTING ON THIS.

WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO TO KEEP THE FINANCES OF THIS CITY IN LINE. SO THANK YOU.

WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ANY OTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? AT THIS TIME WILL HAVE A ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL VOTE)

>> SPEAKER: MAYOR, WE DON'T HAVE ANY RESOLUTIONS THIS EVENING SO THOSE ARE ALL THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS WE HAVE ON THE

AGENDA. >> SPEAKER: AT THIS TIME WE

[12. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM.]

A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO GIVE YOU AS A REMINDER.

I ASK ALL OF YOU TO USE PROFESSIONAL, RESPECTFUL AND CIVIL TONE WHEN ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL.

YOU SHOULD EXPECT US TO RETURN LIKEWISE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE ANY TYPE OF THE THREATENING THREATENING COMMENTS OR OUTLANDISH BEHAVIOR.

THIS IS NOT A BALL GAME OR A PEP RALLY.

WE JUST ASK YOU TO MAKE YOUR POINT, MAKE THEM AS STRONG AS YOU NEED TO. WE ARE HERE TO LISTEN TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY. PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM AND USE THE MICROPHONE AND I REMIND YOU TO PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE CLOCK THAT WE WILL ASK YOU TO FOLLOW.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.

>> SPEAKER: MAYOR, WE WILL GO THROUGH EVERYONE IN HERE AND THEY WILL BRING IN FOLKS THAT HAVE SIGNED THE LIST.

>> SPEAKER: OKAY. YES, SIR.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, COUNSEL MY NAME IS RICHARDS AND I'M RESIDENT OF AUBURN. 165.

>> SPEAKER: YOUR ADDRESS? >> SPEAKER: 662 ENDERS COURT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LETTING ME TO TALK TONIGHT.

I SENT AN E-MAIL TO ALL OF YOU LAST NIGHT WITH ALL OF THE DATA THAT WE FOUND WITH RESEARCH. I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE DATA, ABOUT THE INCREASE IN CASES, THE FLATLINE OF MORTALITY RATE THAT DOESN'T CHANGE. ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN, THIS IS VIRTUALLY ZERO. I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS, AT LEAST FOR ALABAMA WITH THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH , COVEN IS NOT EVEN THE TOP TEN.

COVID IS NOT THE TOP TEN. I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT BIOSAFETY LEVELS. OF PROTECTION WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WEARING IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM COVID. THIS IS CLOTH, IT DOESN'T FIT ANY BIOSAFETY LEATHER -- LEVEL. ACCORDING TO POLICY I'M SAFE.

I'M A SUPER-SPREADER. NOW I'M SAFE AGAIN.

I'M HOLDING A PIECE OF CLOTH. THAT'S IT.

BUT ANYWAY. TO ADDRESS YOUR POINT, MAYOR

[00:25:02]

FINE. I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU GUYS THAT OUR FACEBOOK GROUP HAS CLOSE TO 800 MEMBERS IN THE LAST FOUR DAYS, FIVE DAYS. SOME OF YOU GUYS WERE ELECTED ON THE LAST ELECTIONS, SO COME NEXT TIME WHEN ELECTIONS ARISE, WE THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE SHALL HAVE THE LAST WORD.

INC. YOU. >> SPEAKER: YES OR?

>> SPEAKER: COUNCIL, MR. MAYOR. BRIAN MITCHELL 1130 FIELD CREST LANE. I MOVED AND WAS GOING TO GIVE MY OLD ADDRESS. LISTEN, I'M JUST HERE THANK YOU FOR LETTING US COME. IT'S GOOD TO SEE SOME OF YOU.

I KNOW SOME OF YOU. I'M HERE TO REALLY -- I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GUYS DON'T -- YOU MADE THAT CLEAR IN E-MAIL. COMMUNICATION.

WE WENT TO THE BOARD MEETING LAST THURSDAY.

THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THEM AND WHO ARE WE SUPPOSED TO TALK TO ABOUT THIS? WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH PEOPLE'S KIDS AND YOU JUST COME OUT WITH SOME STRAIGHT DECISION, WITH NO INPUT FROM PARENTS OR -- MAYBE THEY HAD INPUT FROM TEACHERS, WHEN I TALKED TO ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, THEY DID SAY THAT THEY HAD NUMEROUS HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AT THE AMC. I THINK ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT SHE SAID. BUT WHEN WE GO TO A DOCTOR, SOMETIMES WE GO FOR A SECOND OPINION.

THE TOWN. WE MAY GO TO OTHER STATES EVEN TO GET A SECOND OPINION. I JUST REALLY -- GET THE POINT ACROSS, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MAKING IT A VOLUNTARY THING TO WEAR A MASK. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WEARING A MASK. I HAVE TO WEAR SOME.

I HAD TO WEAR ALL DAY I WAS SHOWING PROPERTY OVER THE WEEKEND. IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.

LET ME TELL YOU. THE THING WAS SOAKING WET, I GOT TIRED OF TALKING, I WAS SUCKING THE MASK INTO MY MOUTH.

I'M A REALTOR SO I TALK A LOT. I CAN IMAGINE THE STUDENTS, THAT'S JUST ONE MORE OBSTACLE THAT THEY ARE MANDATED TO TRY TO OVERCOME SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN WORK I THINK WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE KIDS. I WANTED TO SHOW YOU, HE DID THE SAME THING, THE GENTLEMAN THAT JUST SPOKE.

THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS MASK FROM LAST YEAR THAT SHE WORE.

I SEE THROUGH IT AND MY ONLY QUESTION IS, LISTEN, IF I GO INTO A ROOM AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE COVID, YOU ARE POSITIVE COVID PERSON, NOBODY KNOWS THAT BUT LET'S SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT, I'M NOT GOING IN THE ROOM WITH THIS MASK ON.

I'M REALLY NOT GOING IN THE ROOM PERIOD.

BUT I'M JUST SAYING, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

I GET IT, IT'S ONE LAYER OF PROTECTION, AND THAT'S FINE IF YOU WANT TO WEAR IT AND IF THE PARENT WANTS TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN WEAR IT, THAT'S TOTALLY FINE.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BE HOLDING ONTO THIS IS THE LIFELINE AND MAKING IT MISERABLE.

THEY ARE PROBABLY GOING TO GET IT WHETHER THEY HAVE THE MASK ON OR NOT. YOU CAN GET THE VIRUS IF YOU HAVE HAD THE VACCINE. AND THAT'S A MUCH BIGGER LEVEL OF PROTECTION. I'M OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

YOU CAN GO FIRST, MA'AM,. >> SPEAKER: I'M STEPHANIE PALATINO LIVE AT 935 IN AUBURN. I DO WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT I HAVE A CHILD WHO IS RISING NINTH-GRADER.

SHE IS 15 AND SHE HAS A WRITTEN -- RETINA DETACHMENT AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT THIS, BUT SHE IS FARSIGHTED. HER PRESCRIPTION IN THE LEFT I IS NEGATIVE 12 AND A HALF. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU WEAR GLASSES, BUT A MASK IS DETRIMENTAL TO HER.

I WILL ALSO GO BACK SAYING THAT STARTING 2007, MY SISTER-IN-LAW WAS DIAGNOSED WITH OVARIAN CANCER AND LIVED FOR SEVEN YEARS WITH A HEAVILY COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM AND HAD TO WEAR A MASK EVERYWHERE SHE WENT BECAUSE SHE WAS AT RISK OF CATCHING SOMETHING. NOW WE ARE TOLD THAT IF WE ARE WEARING A MASK WE ARE PROTECTING YOU.

WE ARE NOT PROTECTED IF WE HAVE A MASK ON, WE ARE PROTECTING

[00:30:01]

BULL. I'M SORRY.

I AM SORRY. I DO NOT WANT A SCHOOL BOARD TELLING ME THAT MY CHILD HAS TO WEAR A MASK EIGHT HOURS A DAY TO PROTECT OTHERS FROM HER BEING SAFE.

I'M SORRY. I DON'T AGREE WITH IT AND I DON'T LIKE IT AND THAT'S NOT FAIR.

THAT IS MY CHILD, MY BABY. I SHOULD MAKE THAT DECISION FOR HER. NOT ANYONE ELSE.

AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT Y'ALL, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT WE ARE REACHING OUT TODAY. WE ARE SO DESPERATE THAT WE WANT TO CHANGE THIS. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE.

TO WEAR OUR VOICES AS PARENTS, WE CAN STAND UP FOR OUR CHILDREN AND STOP LETTING OTHERS TELL US WHAT OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO DO.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS JOHN, 622 SCOTT WHICH DRIVE AUBURN ALABAMA. IN ORDER TO HAVE A DEBATE, WE FIRST MUST HAVE INTELLECTUAL HONESTY, AND IF YOU THINK A MASK IS GOING TO STOP THE SPREAD OF A VIRUS, YOU ARE INSANE.

IT SAYS IT RIGHT OF THE BOX, DOES NOT PREVENT THE SPREAD OF VIRUSES. BUT YOU ARE TELLING ME AND EXPECTING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THAT PLEXIGLAS BETWEEN YOU TWO IS PROTECTING YOU. COME ON! INTELLECTUAL HONESTY, OUT THE WINDOW.

WHY IS IT THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR CHILDREN WEAR MASKS WHEN MASKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROVEN -- ANYBODY BOTHERED TO LOOK UP WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SPANISH FLU AND WHY WE WENT THROUGH THE MASK MANDATES AND SUBSEQUENTLY WHY THEY WERE OUTLAWED? ANYBODY? THAT'S RIGHT, YOU GUYS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

WELL, INTELLECTUAL HONESTY. >> SPEAKER: NO, I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE SPANISH FLU IN THE MASKS.

>> SPEAKER: YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK IT UP.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT. TRYING TO WEAR A MASK TO SAY THAT IT'S GOING TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS IS TRYING TO EXPRESS TO ALL OF THESE PEOPLE OUT HERE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CREATE A DAM WITH A CHAIN-LINK FENCE.

AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN. NOW I BELIEVE THE REASON WHY WE THE PEOPLE ARE SO UPSET, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT Y'ALL DON'T HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY HERE WHATSOEVER, ABOUT THE SCHOOL BOARD, BUT Y'ALL APPOINTED THEM. SO ULTIMATELY, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. AND WE THE PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THESE EXCUSES, SIX FINGERS OF BLAME POINTED EVERYBODY ELSE.

THE BLAME AND THE BUCK STOPS RIGHT HERE.

Y'ALL APPOINTED THEM, DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES.

THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY. >> SPEAKER: YES, SIR?

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS JONATHAN PARRISH PARISH, 102 CAROLINA COURT. THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBERS AND MR. MAYOR FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.

WILL BE DUE WITH OUR BODIES IS A PERSONAL CHOICE.

IF YOU WANT TO EAT AN UNHEALTHY DIET YOU CAN DO IT.

IF YOU WANT TO SMOKE AND DRINK IN EXCESS YOU COULD DO THAT.

IF YOU WANT TO USE ALTERNATIVE VERSUS TRADITIONAL MEDICINES TO TREAT YOUR DISEASE, YOU CAN DO THAT.

IF YOU WANT TO TATTOO YOU COULD DO THAT.

YOU CAN GET A WHOLE SLEEVE. I'M NOT HERE TO TELL YOU WHAT CHOICES YOU SHOULD MAKE, NOR WILL I EVER.

WE ALL HAVE OUR OPINIONS, WE ALL THINK WE ARE RIGHT.

OUR OPINIONS ARE ALL SUPPORTED WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS AND DATA AND STATISTICS. THERE IS LITERALLY A STUDY FOR EVERYTHING. SO WE CAN ARGUE TO THE END OF TIME ABOUT WHICH WAY IS BETTER AND PROBABLY WON'T EVER CHANGE EACH OTHER'S MINDS. WE CAN DEBATE THE MASKS WORK, DO THEY NOT, DO THEY CAUSE HARM? PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL? DOCTORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT ISSUE.

WE COULD DEBATE THE VACCINES WORK, DO THEY NOT, TO THEY CAUSE HARM? THERE IS DOCTORS ON BOTH SIDES.

REPUTABLE DOCTORS. THE INVENTOR OF MRNA VACCINE TECHNOLOGY DR. ROBERT MALONE WHO HAS DEVOTED HIS ENTIRE LIFE'S WORK TO VACCINATIONS SAID HE WOULDN'T TAKE IT.

THAT IS PROBLEMATIC. BUT IF YOU WANT TO TAKE IT

[00:35:02]

I'M NOT HERE TO DEBATE WHICH PATH IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS. I'M NOT HERE TO MANDATE THAT YOUR CHILD NOT WEAR A MASK. I'M NOT HERE TO MANDATE THAT YOU DON'T GET VACCINATED. I CAN'T DO THAT.

BUT IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING I'M NOT AN ANTI-VAX OR.

ME AND MY FAMILY HAVE TAKEN LOTS OF VACCINES, SOME OF THEM VERY RECENTLY. BUT WE DON'T WEAR MASKS AND MOST OF YOU ON THIS COUNCIL AND ON THE SCHOOL BOARD ALSO DON'T WEAR MASKS. DON'T WEAR THEM IN THE CHAMBER, WHICH MUST BE NICE TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY THAN OUR KIDS ARE ABOUT TO HAVE TO LIVE. YOU DON'T WEAR THEM WHEN YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT. YOU DON'T WEAR THEM IN CHURCH OR RESTAURANTS, YOU DON'T WEAR THEM AT KNEW TEACHER ORIENTATION JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. YOUR KIDS DON'T WEAR THEM IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, YOUR KIDS DON'T WEAR THEM AT INDOOR SPORTS PRACTICE AND PEOPLE SEE THIS. THAT'S YOUR CHOICE, BUT THAT IS HYPOCRISY. I'M NOT HERE TO TELL YOU HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU DON'T DO THAT TO ME. DON'T DO THAT TO MY KIDS.

I'M NOT IMPOSING MY WILL ON YOU, SO PLEASE DON'T IMPOSE YOUR WILL ON ME AND MY KIDS. TO THE SCHOOL BOARD APPOINTED BY THIS COUNSEL WHO THOUGHT THEY HAD THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS, WHILE THEIR HEARTS WERE IN THE RIGHT PLACE TRYING TO DO WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS BEST, THEY CROSSED THE LINE.

THEY WENT TOO FAR. MANAGE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, MANAGE ITS BUDGET, ITS CURRICULUM, ITS SCHEDULE.

WE WILL MANAGE OUR HEALTH AND THAT OF OUR KIDS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE) >> SPEAKER: YES, MA'AM, IN THE

BACK. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AND ASK THAT YOU FORGIVE MY EMOTIONS.

>> SPEAKER: IT'S OKAY. IT'S ALL GOOD.

TAKE YOUR TIME. >> SPEAKER: I'M ANGELA PERRY.

I LIVE IT THAN 60 PART POINT CIRCLE, AUBURN, ALABAMA.

IN AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT, AT THE VERY END WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT STRATEGIES, IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS WE WILL TAILOR LEARNING AND TEACHING TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT.

FURTHER DOWN IT SAYS WE WILL FOSTER AND PROMOTE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TO ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS.

MANDATES SUCH AS THE MASK MANDATE NEGATE THE FACT THAT EACH CHILD IS AFFECTED DIFFERENTLY.

IT IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL, THAT IS WHY EACH PARENT SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE. THERE ARE SOME CHILDREN WHO ARE LOSING OUT ON THE FULL OPPORTUNITY OF LEARNING, WHICH HAS THEIR RIGHT IF THEY LIVE IN AMERICA.

WHAT I ONCE THOUGHT, I STILL THINK FOR THE MOST PART IS A GOOD SCHOOL SYSTEM, ALL OF MY CHILDREN MY NINTH-GRADER AND MY SOON-TO-BE FIFTH-GRADER HAVE DONE WELL.

THEY HAVE HAD AMAZING TEACHERS, THEY HAVE HAD GREAT SUPPORT.

AND LAST YEAR WE DID THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR AND A MASK BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER STRUGGLED EMOTIONALLY AND SOCIALLY.

WE DIDN'T KEEP HER OUT THE FIRST HALF BECAUSE WE WERE SCARED OF THE VIRUS. WE KEPT HER OUT DIDN'T WANT HER MASK. SHE STRUGGLED SO BADLY THAT SHE HAD SOME ISSUES THAT WE REALLY HAD TO WORK THROUGH.

WE HAD TO CHOOSE TO PUT A MASK ON HER FACE AND SEND HER TO SCHOOL SO THAT HER EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING WAS TAKING CARE OF. THERE ARE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES WHO LITERALLY CANNOT LEARN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SEE THE TEACHER OR THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS' MOUTH TO HEAR PROPERTY. AND FOR SOME OF THE CHILDREN, THE RISK OF WEARING THE MASK OUTWEIGH ANY POSSIBLE BENEFIT.

IT IS NOT DOING WHAT IS SAFE FOR ALL STUDENTS WHEN PARENTS AND STUDENTS DON'T GET A CHOICE TO CONSIDER -- IN CONSIDERING THAT WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT HEALTH AND LEARNING NEEDS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. (APPLAUSE)

>> SPEAKER: YES, SIR? >> SPEAKER: MAYOR ANDERS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL, 412 OPELIKA RD., APARTMENT 111. I CAME TO SPEAK TO YOU TONIGHT ON ANOTHER MATTER. I SIGNED UP TO SERVE ON THE AUBURN 2040 COMMITTEE OR WHATEVER IT'S CALLED.

WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE MEETING THAT SUPPOSEDLY TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY, EITHER HERE OR AT THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS. THIS IS CONCERNING THE PUBLIC SAFETY PART OF THE AUBURN 2040 PLAN.

NOW, ACCORDING TO ANOTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER WHO GOT A HOLD OF ME YESTERDAY, HE DID NOT GET ANY COMMUNICATION.

HE DID NOT GET AN E-MAIL OR ANYTHING.

NOW, BECAUSE OF THE WEIRD WEATHER, THE HEAT ADVISORY, MUCH OF LAST WEEK AND THE STORM THREATS ON THE WEEKEND AND EVEN

[00:40:05]

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION SITUATION INVOLVING AUBURN 2040, BUT I HOPE THAT YOU WOULD STEP IT UP AND LET US KNOW WHEN THESE THINGS ARE GOING ON.

BECAUSE WE ARE INTERESTED. >> SPEAKER: HOW DO YOU NORMALLY

RECEIVE YOUR COMMUNICATION? >> SPEAKER: VIA E-MAIL.

NOW I DO CHECK E-MAIL NOTIFIER. WE DO RECEIVE THE E-MAIL

NOTIFIER CONCERNING OTHER THINGS >> SPEAKER: IT WOULDN'T BE ON THERE. IT WOULD BE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS THAT WE WOULD SEND THAT TO. AM I CORRECT, THIS CROUCH? COMMUNICATION WOULD BE SENT TO E-MAIL?

>> SPEAKER: WE WERE ASKED AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY GET TOGETHER AT THE KICK OFF TO WRITE OUR NAMES AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES ON THERE. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THIS STRAIGHT SO

THAT WE CAN. >> SPEAKER: THE NAME IS ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE LIST. WE WILL HAVE TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS ACCURATE.

>> SPEAKER: OKAY. >> SPEAKER: YOU ARE DEFINITELY

ON THAT COMMITTEE. >> SPEAKER: ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE MEMBERS, HE DID NOT GET AN E-MAIL.

>> SPEAKER: WE WILL DOUBLE CHECK THAT.

>> SPEAKER: I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.

AND ONE MORE THING IN THE 30 SECONDS I HAVE.

I WAS UP HERE BEFORE SPEAKING AS PART OF LEE COUNTY BRANCH WHICH I'M NO LONGER ON FOR REASONS NOT TO BLAME THEM.

I ADDRESSED THE CONCERN ABOUT THE REAPPOINTMENT OF ONE OF THOSE MEMBERS AND NOW AFTER HEARING WHAT'S HAPPENING TONIGHT CONCERNING THE MASK MANDATE, THIS IS WHY WE HAD OUR CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE EYES ARE DOTTED AND THE TS ARE CROSSED. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

>> SPEAKER: HOW YOU DOING? >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS MISTY.

I LIVE IT 1431 MOSS WOULD PLACE AUBURN, ALABAMA.

I AM HERE ON THE PREMISES OF MY RELIGIOUS FAITH AND CONVICTIONS.

I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I FOLLOW THE BIBLE AND I RAISE MY FAMILY ON THE PREMISES OF SUCH AND GIVEN THAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS FOUNDED THIS COUNTRY ON THE PREMISES OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, I FELT IT WAS A WORTHY ARGUMENT TO BRING FORTH.

IN THE BIBLE IN REVELATION CHAPTER 13 THERE IS A PASSAGE THAT SPEAKS ABOUT A BEAST THAT WILL RISE UP OUT OF THE EARTH AND THAT BEAST WOULD REQUIRE A MARK.

IN REVELATION 1316 THROUGH 17 THAT ALL MEN WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE IN ORDER TO BUY OR SELL, IN ORDER TO WORK OR HAVE A JOB OR TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY. THAT WORD MARK ACTUALLY COMES IS THE WORD MEANS SHE RACKED. IT MEANS TO APPOINT A PAIL OR STAKE. THAT MARK ALSO IS A MALE -- MARK OF IDENTIFICATION AND LEGIONS. WHATEVER YOU TRUST OR PUT YOUR FAITH IN OR PUT YOUR HOPE IN. AS A RESULT OF THAT, THERE IS -- NOT TO GET INTO THE DETAILS OF WHAT THE GREEK MEANS AND WHAT ALL THAT IS, BUT RIGHT NOW MY BIGGEST CONCERN AS A CHRISTIAN IS HOW FAR WE ALLOW OUR STATE BOARD, OUR GOVERNMENT, TO DICTATE IF WE CAN SAY THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU MUST PUT ON YOUR CHILD, THEN IS OUR GOVERNMENT GOING TO COME IN LIKE THEY ARE DOING IN NEW YORK RIGHT NOW SAYING THAT YOU MUST HAVE THIS MARK, YOU MUST HAVE SOME SIGN OF ALLEGIANCE BEFORE YOU CAN ENTER A RESTAURANT OR A STORE OR BUSINESS OR RECEIVE AN EDUCATION. AND GIVEN THAT COLLEGES ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW ARE REQUIRING THIS PARTICULAR MARK THAT HAS COME UPON THE WORLD TO BE VACCINATED OR NOT TO BE VACCINATED, SEGREGATING SOCIETIES, IS A LEGITIMATE CONCERN FOR CHRISTIANS AND THOSE OF RELIGIOUS FAITH THAT IF YOU CAN TELL MY CHILD WHAT TO PUT ON THEIR BODY, WHY AM I NOT GOING TO EXPECTED A FEW MONTHS FOR YOU TO TELL MY CHILD WHAT THEY MUCH PUT IN THEIR BODY IN ORDER TO COME AS THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK SAID, TODAY, TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY YOU MUST BE VACCINATED.

AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT AUSTRALIA IS UNDER MARTIAL LAW RIGHT NOW AND ISRAEL IS LOCKED IN THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT VACCINATED, GIVEN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN FRANCE RIGHT NOW WITH THE PASSPORTS GOING OUT. AS A CHRISTIAN I HAVE LEGITIMATE

[00:45:01]

DECISIONS MADE IN FAITH ALWAYS LEAD TO LIFE.

I THINK BEFORE WE BEGIN TO MAKING DECISIONS IN FEAR WE SHOULD RECONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD RULE BY FAITH.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. (APPLAUSE)

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING THERE, CITY COUNCIL MY NAME IS STEPHANIE BRYANT I RESIDE AT 1703 POST OAK COURTS.

TONIGHT I'M SPEAKING AS A BODY WHEN I SEE USE AS INDIVIDUALS.

AT SOME POINT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER YOU WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE WHO YOU WILL SERVE. WILLOUGHBY THE CITIZENS OF AUBURN AND THEIR CHILDREN, PEOPLE WITH DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT WHO MAKE UP AUBURN THAT YOU SERVE.

OR WILLOUGHBY WASHINGTON AND MONTGOMERY POLITICS.

WE CHOOSE POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY OVER HUMANITY HUMAN SOVEREIGNTY AND VIRTUE. UNDERSTANDING THAT AS A CITY COUNCIL THERE IS IMMENSE PRESSURE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CDC, ALABAMA TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, TEACHERS UNIONS PARTICULARLY AS GUIDANCE AND GOALPOSTS CONTINUE TO SHIFT.

I THINK IT'S CRITICAL TO SHARE LESSER-KNOWN IMPORTANT DETAILS THAT ABSOLUTELY MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

TO THAT END, AS I DID WITH AUBURN TO CITY SCHOOL BOARD, I WILL E-MAIL ALL OF YOU A SAMPLE OF THE RESOURCES THAT INCLUDE AT LEAST 47 STUDIES THAT CONFIRM THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF MASKS FOR COVID AND 32 THAT CONFIRM MASK NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS.

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE RESOURCES MY CHILD'S FATHER AND I USED TO MAKE OUR OWN INFORMED DECISION FOR OUR CHILD'S HEALTH.

I TAKE ISSUE WITH COLLECTIVISM AND COERCION BEING THE DEFAULT POSITION OF GOVERNMENT TAXPAYER-FUNDED SCHOOLS AND NOW MEDICINE, WHICH SHOULD HEAL, NOT DIVIDE.

THESE SYSTEMS HAVE SOMEHOW ERRONEOUSLY COME TO THE CONCLUSIONS THAT THEY HAVE A MORE VESTED INTEREST IN THE HEALTH OF MY CHILD THEN HIS FATHER OR I AND THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS BETTER SERVED BY FEAR, PLATITUDES AND PROPAGANDA, NOT ONCE IN 15 MONTHS HAVE I SEEN A PSA FROM THE CDC, EMC, CITY OF AUBURN OR AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS THAT TEACHES THE VALUE OF A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM, REST, FRESH AIR AND A HEALTHY DIET.

EXERCISE, LAUGHTER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS. TERROR HAS BEEN SPOONFED AND SET OF FACTS THAT WOULD HAVE OFFERED REASSURANCE ON THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN. MANY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED EVEN BY LOCAL NEWS PERSONALITIES INTO BEING FEARFUL AND TO HATE NEIGHBORS THAT DON'T AGREE WITH THEM.

HAVE WE FORGOTTEN THAT ASKING QUESTIONS AND LISTENING TO ANSWERS IS HOW WE LEARN? MULTIPLE SOURCES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT CONTRADICT, GIVE WAY TO INFORMED DECISIONS.

THE DECISION TO FORCE MASKS ON AUBURN TO THE SCHOOLS CHILDREN SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THE DOCTORS AT THE AMC HAVE COME TO THE UNINFORMED DECISION THAT THE PARENTS OF OVER 8000 CHILDREN IN THE AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS SYSTEM ARE INCAPABLE OF LOOKING AFTER THEIR OWN CHILDREN'S BEST INTERESTS AND THAT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AGREES. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE TIME TO STUDY THESE RESOURCES TO MAKE IT SHORT AND TO FINISH UP I LEAVE YOU WITH ONE FINAL QUESTION.

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE FORCED THE BURDEN OF PUBLIC HEALTH ON THEIR CHILDREN? YOU MAY CHOOSE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY BUT YOU CAN NEVER AGAIN SAY YOU DID NOT GO.

>> SPEAKER: >> SPEAKER: I CAN'T APPROACH YOU I'M LEAVING THESE FOR YOU. THESE ARE MASK DATA SHEETS.

THEY GIVE A VERY CLEAR VIEW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> SPEAKER: CAN YOU HAND THEM TO THE CITY CLERK AT THE END AND SHE WILL BE HAPPY TO DISTRIBUTE THEM.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. (APPLAUSE)

>> SPEAKER: WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS JOEL, I'M 15. YOU WILL USE A CLOTH MASK MADE OF THE SAME SET THIS T-SHIRT, COTTON.

NOW I HAVE A MASK ON. I STILL BREATHE THROUGH THE MASK BUT IN PE ASTHMATIC KIDS WEARING A MASK THEY HAVE A HARD TIME BREATHING ANYWAY. WEARING A MASK IT WILL BE MORE STRAIN. RUNNING AROUND THEY WILL BE DROPPING LIKE FLIES. Y'ALL ARE FORCING US TO WEAR

[00:50:01]

WE JUST WENT UNDER PHASE TWO OF COVID WHICH IS WE HAVE TO WEAR MASKS IN UNIFORM OUTSIDE AND IN PT.

I ALREADY HAVE AN ISSUE RUNNING BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO CATCH MY BREATH AS I'M RUNNING. I HAVE TO BE IN A CERTAIN TIME.

IF I'M WEARING A MASK NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE EVEN MORE PROBLEM BREATHING. WHICH CREATES BIGGER STRAIN ON THE LUNGS. SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN THAT KIDS DON'T REACT TO COVID THE SAME AS ADULTS.

SO WHY ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE US WEAR MASKS IF WE DON'T REACT THE SAME AS ADULTS? I CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE Y'ALL ARE COMING FROM TRYING TO PROTECT EVERYBODY BUT IF OUR PARENTS DON'T WANT TO WEAR MASKS, YOU CAN'T FORCE US TO.

IT IS OUR BODY, OUR CHOICE THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO LEAVE YOU WITH. (APPLAUSE)

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. >> SPEAKER: WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: HELLO. MY NAME IS MELISSA MONTGOMERY.

MY ADDRESS IS 633 WESTLING AUBURN, ALABAMA.

I HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN AUBURN CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM AND I LOVE AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS. THEY ARE FANTASTIC TEACHERS, GREAT STAFF, FACULTY. I ENJOY ALL MY TIME I SPENT AT SCHOOLS. HOWEVER I DO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MASKS. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DOES OR WHAT THEIR DECISION ARE AS FAR AS MASKS GO WITH OUR CHILDREN BUT YOU DID APPOINT THEM AND IF YOU DON'T -- IF THEY WILL LISTEN TO US WHICH IS CLEAR LAST THURSDAY THAT THEY HAVE NO -- WHO ARE WE SUPPOSED TO TALK TO? WHEN DOES IT STOP? NOBODY MASKS UP FOR THE FLU, NOBODY CARED ABOUT MY HEALTH EVERY YEAR WHEN THE FLU WAS KILLING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ALL YEAR. CHILDREN ARE AFFECTED BY THE FLU YOU DID MASK UP FOR MY HEALTH LAST YEAR -- TWO YEARS AGO FOR FLU. YOU DID MASK UP FOR MY HEALTH LAST YEAR. I DIDN'T MASK UP FOR MY HEALTH FOR FLU. BUT WE ARE EXPECTING OUR CHILDREN TO SIT IN A CLASSROOM AND MASK UP FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY PROBABLY ARE NOT GOING TO GET AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO INFECT EACH OTHER WITH. LAST YEAR OUR KIDS ALL WERE MASK LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. LAST YEAR THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO TAKE THEM OFF EVEN OUTSIDE. EVEN DURING PE.

ONLY TO SIT AND EAT BECAUSE YOU DON'T SPREAD COVID WHEN YOU'RE MOUTH IS OPEN WHILE CHEWING. BUT THEY HAD TO WEAR THEM AT ALL TIMES. AT ALL TIMES.

I HAD SEVERAL PHONE CALLS LAST SPRING FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE FOR MY CHILD COMPLAINING OF HEADACHES WILL DOUBLE TIMES.

MY CHILD IS NEVER COMPLAINED OF A HEADACHE A DAY IN HER LIFE AND SHE DID AT LEAST ON EIGHT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DURING MARCH, APRIL AND MAY. THAT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE.

AT ALL. AND IF YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING DIRECTLY WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT YOU APPOINTED, WHO DO WE TALK TO? WHEN DOES IT STOP? WHEN DO WE STOP MESSING UP OUR KIDS? WHEN WE STOP MAKING THEM WHERE THEY CAN'T SEE EACH OTHER'S FACES OR PLAY WITH EACH OTHER BECAUSE YOU MIGHT GET SICK? KIDS ARE DISGUSTING. KIDS ARE NASTY.

THEY GET SICK ALL THE TIME. THAT'S HOW THEY BUILD AN IMMUNE SYSTEM. IF YOU KEEP BLOCKING OFF THEIR FACES, KIDS PUT THEIR HANDS IN THEIR MOUTHS, THEY GET SICK, THEY BUILT IMMUNE SYSTEM. BY GETTING DIRTY.

BY BEING EXPOSED. THEY ARE KIDS.

WE ARE TEACHING THEM THAT THEY CAN'T SAY ANYTHING.

THAT THEIR BODY DOESN'T MATTER. TAKING AWAY MY PARENTAL AUTONOMY OVER MY CHILD THAT I CAN MAKE A DECISION I FEEL IS BEST FOR HER.

THAT'S NOT FAIR. SO IF WE CAN'T GET YOU TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE BOARD THAT YOU APPOINTED, WHO DO WE TALK TO? CAN YOU TELL US ANY OF US WHO WE NEED TO SPEAK TO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOING TO STOP.

THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN. OUR CHILDREN AND I KNOW SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE E-MAIL ME BACK FEELING THE SAME WAY I DO.

WHO DO WE TALK TO? THANKS.

(APPLAUSE) WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: HELLO. MY NAME IS AND SPENCER AND I LIVE AT 918 FALCON HER DRIVE AUBURN, ALABAMA.

I THINK THE PROBLEM THAT MOST OF US PARENTS HAVE WITH THE DECISION THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD MADE WAS THAT WE WERE TOLD IT WAS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF PEDIATRICIANS AND THE EMC.

THERE WAS A LETTER THAT WAS SIGNED BY PEDIATRICIANS AND IN THAT LETTER THE SECOND PARAGRAPH STARTS WITH WE BELIEVE.

NOT WE KNOW, NOT WE HAVE FOUND THAT MASKS WORK, BUT WE BELIEVE.

[00:55:02]

IN THAT LETTER WAS NOT EVERY PEDIATRICIAN IN THE AUBURN AREA, IT WAS SOME. IT ALSO SAID PROTOCOLS WERE EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE LAST YEAR. BASED ON WHAT TO? WHERE IS THE DATA? WHERE DOES IT SHOW THAT THOSE MASKS ACTUALLY STOPPED THE SPREAD OF COVID IN OUR SCHOOLS? THE OTHER ISSUE WE HAVE IS THAT EMC LIKES TO PUT A LOT OF DATA OUT AND IT'S BASED OFF PERCENTAGES.

SO WHEN YOU HEAR A PERCENTAGE OF 50 PERCENT OF COVID CASES END UP IN THE HOSPITAL, IT'S SCARY. BUT WHEN YOU ACTUALLY BREAK IT DOWN INTO NUMBERS, THE POPULATION OF LEE COUNTY IS 164,542. THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE COVID CASES IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS WERE 203.

THAT IS LESS THAN .12 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION.

THERE IS ALSO BEEN 34 HOSPITALIZATIONS.

AGAIN, OUT OF 164,000 PEOPLE, LESS THAN .02 PERCENT.

I JUST ASK THAT WE USE COMMON SENSE, THAT WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND WE ACTUALLY SEE, IS THIS WORD THAT? BECAUSE YOU HEARD NUMEROUS PARENTS TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. THERE IS ANXIETY THAT WE ARE PUTTING INTO OUR CHILDREN AND IS IT WORTH IT? FOR .02 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION? AND IN THAT .02, HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE EVEN CHILDREN? I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE BOARD.

I UNDERSTAND THAT. I -- JUST LIKE EVERYBODY SAID YOU APPOINTED THEM. SO INSTEAD OF YOU TELLING US WHAT YOU CANNOT DO, I JUST ASK WHAT CAN YOU DO? WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP US, TO HELP US BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CHOICE ON OUR OWN, FOR OUR CHILDREN, INSTEAD OF SOMEBODY ELSE TELLING US WHAT WE SHOULD DO.

THANK YOU. (APPLAUSE).

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: MAYOR, THESE FOLKS ARE APPROACHING THE PODIUM. WE HAVE SIX PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT

IN THE HALLWAY WHO SIGNED UP. >> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS BRENDAN BRYANT, (INDISCERNIBLE) Y'ALL HAVE HEARD A LOT FROM PARENTS TONIGHT. I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU HEAR FROM STUDENT IN YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I WENT THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM LAST YEAR.

I DIDN'T AGREE WITH THAT LAST YEAR.

I WILL GIVE YOU MY EXPERIENCE. I'M AN ATHLETE.

AT FOOTBALL WE WERE REQUIRED TO WEAR THEM IT WORKOUTS.

AND WORKOUTS OF COURSE YOU ARE BREATHING HEAVILY AND YOU ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING TO BREATHE IN AIR.

WITH THE MASK AND MADE IT EVEN HARDER AND IT WAS NOTICEABLE.

IT WASN'T WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS LIKE, OKAY, IT DEFINITELY WAS. ALSO, IN CLASS, I DRINK PLENTY OF WATER DURING THE DAY SO I WOULDN'T BE DEHYDRATED.

I FOUND MYSELF BECOMING NAUSEOUS AND AS SOON AS I PULL THE MASK DOWN AND BREEZED FOR A SECOND IT WENT AWAY.

I SEE AN OBVIOUS CONNECTION WITH THE MASKS THERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SEE IT BUT I DO.

ALSO, TO FORCE THIS UPON US -- I GET PEOPLE CAN CHOOSE THEIR HEALTH, PEOPLE CAN CHOOSE HOW THEY IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH VALUES AND WELLNESS. BUT TO FORCE KIDS, WHICH THE DEATH RATE IS 99.98 PERCENT -- ONE AND A MILLION CHANCE OF DYING UNDER 18. TO FORCE US TO WEAR A MASK IT'S IS NOT EVEN PROVEN THAT THEY WORK.

IT CAUSES NAUSEA, AND IN MY MIND IT'S KIND OF FOOLISH.

AS WELL AS THE FLU. I WILL GIVE AN EXAMPLE ON THAT.

DID WE EVER WEAR MASKS FOR FLU SEASON? I DON'T REMEMBER DOING THAT. AND I DON'T REMEMBER COVID EVER BEING AS DEADLY AS THE FLU FOR US UNDER 18.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STUDENT HERE.

SO WHY FORCE US TO WHERE? NOW, FORCING PEOPLE TO NOT -- I'M NOT SAYING THAT. THAT'S RADICAL.

AND PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

BUT I AM SAYING TO ALLOW US TO CHOOSE.

YOU CAN'T FORCE OTHER PEOPLE'S HEALTH UPON ME, I CAN ONLY

[01:00:02]

(APPLAUSE) >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS ANDREA TOBIN.

I'M THE FACE THAT YOU CAN THINK FOR ALL OF THIS.

MY ADDRESS IS 1123 NORTHWOOD DRIVE, AUBURN.

I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU GUYS.

AS A STUDENT MYSELF I'M RETURNING STUDENT TO AUBURN UNIVERSITY. THESE -- THE STRUGGLE AND FACED ACADEMICALLY WITH THE MASK MANDATES IS PARAMOUNT.

I CAN'T HEAR MY PROFESSOR, I GET FOG SEEING THE POWERPOINT WITH MY GLASSES ON, IT'S A DISTRACTION FOR ME AND I LOOK -- I'M A GROWN ADULT. WHEN I THINK OF SENDING MY RISING KINDERGARTNER AND RISING SECOND-GRADER BACK TO SCHOOL WITH A MASK ON, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW FRUSTRATING IT IS FOR THEM IN THAT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

MY SON WAS BORN WITH A CLEFT LIP AND PALLET.

HE HAD TO HAVE TUBES IN HIS EARS, HE HAS TO HAVE SPEECH THERAPY. IF HE CANNOT SEE PEOPLE TALK AND HEAR THEM APPROPRIATELY ARTICULATE, WHICH I CANNOT DO WHEN PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS. THEN NEITHER CAN MY SON.

IF HE CANNOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE HIS MOUTH AND NOT HAVE HIS MASK STUCK TO HIS FACE WHEN HE CANNOT APPROPRIATELY LEARN HOW TO SPEAK.

THIRTY MINUTES TWICE A WEEK WITH A SPEECH THERAPIST IS NOT GOING TO UNDO EVERYTHING THAT THE MASK IS DOING TO HIM.

I ASKED HIM, I SAID, DO YOU WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL AND POTENTIALLY HAVE TO WEAR A MASK OR WOULD YOU LIKE MOMMY TO PULL YOU OUT AND HOMESCHOOL YOU? BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW. I DON'T WANT TO SEE MY BABY IN A MASK, I DON'T WANT TO SEE MY RISING KINDERGARTNER IN A MASK.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE MYSELF IN A MASK.

I'M ABOUT READY TO GIVE AUBURN UNIVERSITY THE BOOT.

THEY MIGHT NOT GET ANY MORE OF MY MONEY FOR A HOT MINUTE.

I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A MASK AND I DREAD HAVING TO SIT IN CLASS IN A MASK AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MY CHILDREN FEEL.

SO I'M JUST TELLING YOU THAT MANY PARENTS ARE CONSIDERING PRIVATE AND HOMESCHOOL. WE DO NOT WANT OUR BABIES AND A MASK. WE DON'T WANT YOU MAKING THAT CHOICE FOR US. PLEASE LEAVE THAT TO US.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. WE GOT SO MUCH MORE ATTENTION FROM YOU THAN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. (APPLAUSE)

>> SPEAKER: WE HAVE A PEOPLE NOW.

A FEW PEOPLE HAVE ROTATED IN. THEY MAY BE ON THE LIST.

THAT'S FINE. FOLKS ARE ROTATING IN.

>> SPEAKER: JORGE PENSÉE, 1645 CRESCENT BOULEVARD IN AUBURN.

I WASN'T GOING TO SAY ANYTHING. I WASN'T EVEN GOING TO COME TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. BUT I KNOW THE DATA.

I HAVE DONE IT, I'M IN THE RESPIRATORY BUSINESS MYSELF.

I HAVE SEEN COVID, I HAVE PROVIDED OXYGEN FOR PATIENTS WITH MY BUSINESS. I GOING TO THE DOCTOR OFFICES ALL DAY LONG EVERY DAY. AT THE AMC I GO IN THERE.

I KNOW THE DATA. BUT I LIKE TO USE MY COMMON SENSE. I ASKED MY LITTLE BOY YESTERDAY, SUNDAY, I SAID LEVI, NOT TO COERCE HIM, I JUST WANTED HIS REAL OPINION. IS 8 YEARS OLD.

HE SAID -- I SAID LEVI, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MASK? HE SAYS DAD, I HATE THOSE THINGS.

I SAID WHY. HE SAID I CAN'T BREATHE.

WHEN I START BREATHING THROUGH MY MOUTH THAT GOES INSIDE MY MOUTH. AND I SAID SO YOU DON'T WANT TO WHERE? AND HE SAID, NO, PLEASE I DON'T WANT TO WEAR THAT THING THIS YEAR.

I SAID OKAY. AND THIS IS SOMETHING -- I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS CAN'T MAKE THE DECISION.

I GET THAT. BUT YOU DO HAVE INFLUENCE, MORE THAN WE DO PROBABLY. BECAUSE YOU DO A POINT WHO'S ON THAT BOARD. I WASN'T AT THAT BOARD MEETING.

I SAID -- THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK ALL OF US AS PARENTS, WHO IS YOUR AUTHORITY? HE SAID YOU, DADDY.

I SAID IS YOUR TEACHER YOUR AUTHORITY? HE SAID NO. NO, SIR.

AND I SAID REMEMBER THAT. DADDY LOVES YOU AND HE IS GOING TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR YOU.

SO JUST TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN IT COMES NEXT WEEK THAT AS FAR AS MY KID, HE KNOWS THAT DADDY IS THE AUTHORITY. HE KNOWS THAT HE'S GOT TO OBEY ME. SO JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT EVEN WITH YOUR OWN CHILDREN AS WELL WHEN THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL. THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE) >> SPEAKER: WHO WILL BE NEXT?

YES, MA'AM? >> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING

[01:05:08]

I'M A BUSINESS BROKER HERE IN AUBURN NOW IT.

I LIVE IN OPELIKA. THREE OF MY CHILDREN HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THEY ALL GOT SCHOLARSHIPS. ONE IS IN LONDON AND SHE JUST GRADUATED AND ONE IS DOING AEROSPACE ENGINEERING AND THE OTHER ONE IS DOING BUSINESS HERE AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY.

I LOVE AUBURN. I'M NOT FROM HERE AS YOU COULD TELL THAT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUCH AN ADVOCATE OF THIS CITY AND WHAT AN AMAZING COMMUNITY IT IS.

THE REASON I'M HERE TONIGHT IS THAT I HAVE SPENT THE PAST 17 MONTHS -- I'M NOT A DOCTOR BUT I CONSIDER MYSELF QUITE AN INTELLIGENT PERSON. I SPENT THE LAST 17 MONTHS RESEARCHING MASKS AND VACCINES AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD. IT'S INCREDIBLY DISTURBING.

THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF WEARING FACE MASKS CAN CAUSE HEALTH DETERIORATION, DEVELOPING AND PROGRESSION OF CHRONIC DISEASES AND EVEN PREMATURE DEATH.

WEARING FACE MASKS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL ADVERSE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS.

THESE INCLUDE HYPOXIA, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, INCREASED ACIDITY AND TOXICITY, ACTIVATION OF THE FEAR AND STRESS RESPONSE -- THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR KIDS, RIGHT? WE DON'T WANT THEM TO GROW UP AS FEARFUL HUMAN BEINGS.

IMMUNOSUPPRESSION, FATIGUE, HEADACHES, DECLINING COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE, PREDISPOSITION FOR VIRAL AND INFECTIOUS ILLNESSES, CHRONIC STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION WORK THE SUICIDE RATE IS THROUGH THE RUTH WITH OUR TEENAGERS.

THAT IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE WORLD.

I THINK MASKS HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THAT.

THE EXISTING SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE ALSO STATES THAT MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL MASKS ARE INEFFECTIVE TO BLOCK HUMAN TO HUMAN TRANSMISSION OF VIRAL AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES SUCH AS SARS, COVE TWO AND COVID-19. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, NOT LETTING OUR CHILDREN BREATHE FREELY AND MAKING THEM INHALE THEIR OWN WASTE FOR UP TO EIGHT HOURS A DAY IS CHILD ABUSE.

(APPLAUSE) THE ONE LAST THOUGHT THAT I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH IS THAT ADULTS ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT CHILDREN , NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. (APPLAUSE)

>> SPEAKER: NEXT? >> SPEAKER: MAYOR, WE HAVE MR. MICHAEL HELPRIN HE IS OUT IN THE LOBBY AREA AND HE IS FIRST

ON THE LIST. >> SPEAKER: IS THE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: AND THEN WE CAN GET BACK TO EVERYBODY IN HERE IF

ANYBODY STILL WANTS TO SPEAK. >> SPEAKER: VOLLETTE

MR. HELPRIN COME IN. >> SPEAKER: HE'S COMING IN.

NEXT WILL BE LEEANN PINKERTON. >> SPEAKER: I'M MICHAEL HELPRIN. CAN YOU HEAR ME? I LIVE IT 91 CIRCLE IN AUBURN AND IVAN AUBURN RESIDENT FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS. MY SON WAS A GRADUATE OF OUR EXCELLENT SCHOOL SYSTEM. I DO NOT HAVE A CHILD OR GRANDCHILD IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU AND ALL OF YOU FOR VOICING YOUR RESPECTFUL POSITIONS.

THIS IS A COMPLICATED, CONTROVERSIAL AND IN SOME CASES A DEADLY ISSUE. IT CONCERNS ME THAT AUBURN IS BEING TORN APART OVER THIS. AND I KNOW IT CONCERNS YOU.

LEADERS HAVE TO LEAD. THERE IS ONE GOOD WAY TO GET RID OF THE MASK. 99 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED WERE NOT VACCINATED. OUR SCHOOLCHILDREN HAVE TO BE VACCINATED FOR POLIO, FOR DIPHTHERIA, FOR MEASLES AND OTHERS. BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT. THAT HAS SAVED LIVES.

[01:10:03]

BUT IF WE VACCINATED KIDS FOR ALL OTHER THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO HEAD TO SCHOOL, WHY NOT DO THE SAME AND GET RID OF THESE? NOW I'M NOT ALONE. I AM ALONE TONIGHT SO FAR.

>> SPEAKER: CAN YOU WRAP IT UP, MR. HELPRIN?

>> SPEAKER: VOA NEWS TODAY, HOSPITALS INCREASE, A YOU REQUIRING MASKS, THE EDITORIAL. LET'S GET MASKS GOING.

AS I SAID, I'M NOT A BIG MASK PERSON BUT I WANT TO SAVE LIVES.

USA TODAY. >> SPEAKER: MR. HELPRIN --

>> SPEAKER: FOLKS, GET YOUR KIDS VACCINATED, LET'S GET RID OF THE MASKS AND LET'S PROTECT ALL OF US.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: AND AGREE THAT AUBURN WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE ALL THE PEOPLE RESPECTFULLY NO MATTER WHAT THEIR OPINION IS AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, MISTER HELPRIN.

WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> SPEAKER: LEEANN PINKERTON.

>> SPEAKER: IS SHE COMING IN FROM OUTSIDE?

>> SPEAKER: AND EMILY ELLIOTT WILL BE RIGHT AFTER THAT.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS LEEANN PINKERTON.

I DON'T LIVE IN AUBURN I LIVE AT 6685 COUNTY RODE 53 IN ALABAMA.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LETTING ME SPEAK BECAUSE I DO HAVE AN INVESTMENT IN AUBURN BECAUSE I HAVE FOUR GRANDCHILDREN.

IN FACT SEVERAL MORE OF MY GRANDCHILDREN HAVE GONE TO THE AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS. AND I'M A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER IN AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN MY FOURTH YEAR. THANK YOU FOR SMILING.

I KIND OF EXPECT SMILES WHEN I SMILE AT PEOPLE.

I KIND OF EXPECT TO THAT KIND RESPONSE.

AND WHAT I MISS MORE THAN ANYTHING AS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER IS NOT GETTING TO SEE THAT SMILE.

FROM THOSE KIDS. AND THEY DON'T GET TO SEE MY SMILE. I LOVE BEING AROUND CHILDREN.

IT'S THE JOY OF MY LIFE AND WHEN I QUIT HAVING GRANDCHILDREN -- I HOMESCHOOLED TO MY GRANDCHILDREN FOR A TOTAL OF NINE YEARS.

SO WHEN THEY WERE GONE AND I HAD NO MORE CHILDREN, I DID KNOW WHAT IT WAS GOOD TO DO WITH MYSELF SO I DECIDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE. I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED IT.

I ENJOY MY INTERACTIONS WITH THE CHILDREN AS WELL AS TEACHING THEM. IT'S JUST THE JOY OF MY LIFE.

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT WITH THE MASK ANYMORE.

IT'S DETRIMENTAL TO MY HEALTH. BUT WHAT I THINK I'VE MISSED THE MOST, EVEN KNOW I MISSED BEING ABLE TO BREATHE WELL, IS THAT INTERACTION WITH THOSE SWEET KIDS.

YOU JUST -- YOU CANNOT TELL ME THAT YOU CAN HAVE IT WITH A MASK ON. YOU JUST CAN'T.

I CAN'T HEAR THE KIDS HALF THE TIME.

I CAN'T TELL IF THEY SMILE OR THEY DON'T SMILE.

I CAN'T TELL IF THEY ARE UPSET. I CAN'T TELL IF THEY HAVE AN EMOTIONAL PROBLEM SITTING IN THAT DESK WITH THAT MASK ON.

I KNOW THIS IS ANTIDOTAL BUT YOU ALL OF HAD A LOT OF THE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION SO FAR. I DON'T THINK YOU NEED ANY MORE OF THAT. I JUST TELL YOU, TO ME, MASKS ARE DEHUMANIZING. DEHUMANIZING.

IT IS OUR ENTIRE FACE, ACCOUNTANTS, ARE SMILE, OUR EYES. WE LIGHT UP -- COUNTENANCE.

WE LIGHT UP AND WE HAVE TEARS WE ARE SAD.

GOES DOWN IN OUR MOUTH GOES DOWN.

I CAN SEE THAT IN YOU AND THEY CAN SEE THAT CHILDREN.

IN THESE PRECIOUS CHILDREN. AND ITS ANTIDOTAL, I KNOW, BUT I MISS THAT LAST YEAR. WITH THESE KIDS.

I PRIMARILY HAVE DONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND THAT I HAVE KEPT ON

[01:15:01]

AND VERY MUCH DEJECTED WHEN THEY TOLD ME WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO MASK AGAIN. I JUST CAN'T DO IT AGAIN FOR A LOT OF REASONS. I'M JUST TELLING YOU.

I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE ANY AUTHORITY OVER THE SCHOOL BOARD BUT YOU HAVE AN INFLUENCE. BECAUSE YOU APPOINT THEM.

THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. (APPLAUSE)

>> SPEAKER: EMILY ELLIOTT AND THEN AFTER THAT IS TRACY

RICHARD. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

ANY ELLIOTT, ANNA LEE DRIVE. ALL COVID VACCINES, PCR TESTS, ANTIGEN TESTS AND FACIAL MASKS HAVE BEEN GIVEN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION BY THE FDA TITLE 21 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE OF THE FEDERAL FOOD DRUG AND AUTOMATIC -- STATES THIS ABOUT THESE PRODUCTS GRANTED THIS AUTHORIZATION.

THE MINISTER MUST BE INFORMED THAT THE PRODUCT IS EUA, TWO OF THE SIGNIFICANT AND BENEFICIAL OF SUCH USE AND OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH SUCH BENEFITS AND RISKS ARE UNKNOWN.

AND THREE, OF THE OPTION TO ACCEPT OR REFUSE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRODUCT OF THE CONSEQUENCES IF ANY OF REFUSING ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRODUCT AND OF THE ALTERNATIVES TO THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND OF THEIR BENEFITS AND RISKS.

BASED ON THIS CRITERIA, AN ENTITY, ORGANIZATION THAT MANDATES AND EUA PRODUCT WITHOUT PROVIDING EXEMPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES IS IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW AND UNDER THE NUREMBERG CODE INDIVIDUALS MAY NOT BE COERCED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY MEDICAL EXPERIMENT. INFORMED CONSENT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ALABAMA LAW STATES THAT PARENTAL CONSENT IS REQUIRED BEFORE A SCHOOL CAN ADMINISTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT TO A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 14. IT APPEARS THAT THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF THE FACIAL MASK MANDATE IS TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF THE STARS COVID TO VIRUS AND IS NOT IN ANY WAY FALL UNDER THE DRESS CODE POLICY. BUT INSTEAD FIRMLY UNDER EUA GUIDELINES AND DOES REQUIRE THE OPTION TO EXEMPT OR REFUSE.

SOURCE CONTROLS ANY MEANS OF PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIONS THROUGH A PERSONS RESPIRATORY SECRETIONS WHEN SPEAKING, COUGHING OR SNEEZING. IT IS ALSO BEEN STATED THAT THE MANDATE WAS ENACTED BASED ON GUIDANCE FROM STAFF AT EMC WAS SUGGESTED THAT MASKS NOT POTENTIALLY LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. HOWEVER THE FDA PREVENTS EUA PRODUCTS, MASKS BEING ONE, FROM BEING ADVERTISED OR PROMOTED WITH LANGUAGE THAT SUGGESTS SUCH PRODUCTS ARE SAFE OR EFFECTIVE FOR THE PREVENTION OF COVID-19. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DRAW ATTENTION TO A STUDY RELEASED BY THE CDC IN APRIL OF 2021 WHICH STATES THAT A SYMPTOM THAT INDIVIDUALS REGARDLESS OF THE VACCINE STATUS ARE NOT LIKELY TO POSE ANY SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. AS SUCH HEALTHY STUDENTS WITH NO SIGNS OF CONTAGIOUS ILLNESS SHOULD BE FREE TO ATTEND SCHOOL WITH OR WITHOUT A FACIAL COVERING, DEPENDING ON WHAT THEIR PARENTS DESIRE. THE ADP AGE THEY RECOMMENDED MASK. THEY DID NOT MANDATE THEM AND THAT IS AS FAR AS OUR SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD GO.

THE IDEA THAT A HEALTHY PERSON IS A SIGNIFICANT THREAT HAS LED TO UNNECESSARY LEVELS OF FEAR THAT HAVE TRANSFERRED TO OUR CHILDREN AND WILL LIKELY HAVE LASTING PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS.

IF A STUDENT OR TEACHER IS ILL REGARDING OUT OF THEIR VACCINE STATUS THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN THE NECESSARY PAID TIME OFF FOR DAYS OF ABSENCE TO RECOVER. HE AMC NEEDS TO STOP SPREADING THE FALSE IDEA THAT WE SHOULD FEAR OUR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE NOT ILL. IN 1777 JOHN ADAMS IN A LETTER TO HIS WIFE ABIGAIL WROTE, ALL POSTERITY, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH IT HAS COST MY GENERATION TO PRESERVE YOUR FREEDOM. I HOPE YOU WILL MAKE A GOOD USE OF IT. I'VE TRIED TO MAKE A GOOD USE OF

MY FREEDOM TONIGHT. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE) >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS TRACY RICHARD AND I LIVE AT 1690 COVINGTON IN AUBURN.

SPOKE THE OTHER NIGHT AT THE SCHOOL BOARD AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING TO US TONIGHT.

I HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN THE AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT, PRETTY MUCH I WILL REPEAT WHAT I SAID THE OTHER NIGHT.

MY DAUGHTER HOPE HAS REALLY BAD ASTHMA.

MY DAUGHTER NICOLE HAS A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT AND IT BREAKS MY HEART TO SEE WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM.

AND SINCE THEY WERE MASSED. EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS THE ABILITY TO HAVE COURAGE AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

I HAVE HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS THAT I TEACH AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND I TELL YOU, I'M NOT SLEEPING AT NIGHT AND I KNOW MANY OF THEM AREN'T. I SPENT AN HOUR ON THE PHONE WITH ONE OF MY STUDENTS THE OTHER DAY WHO HAS STRESS.

[01:20:05]

WHAT DATA ARE THEY LOOKING AT HOW IMPACTFUL MASKS ARE? I CAN TELL YOU THEY ARE IMPACTFUL.

THEY HAVE HAD A HORRIBLE IMPACT ON MY HOME, MY STUDENTS, MY CHILDREN, MY NEIGHBORS, AND MY FAMILY.

CLOSING, I JUST WANT TO READ A FEW LINES FROM THOMAS PAINE.

THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT TRY MEN'S SOULS.

THE SUMMER SOLDIER AND THE SUNSHINE PATRIOT WILL IN THIS CRISIS SHRINK FROM THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.

BUT HE THAT STANDS BUY IT NOW DESERVES THE LOVE AND THANKS OF MAN AND WOMAN. I KNOW EVERY ONE OF YOU COULD COME AND SAY WE DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY SAY. IT IS UP TO THE BOARD OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY SAY EITHER. EACH ONE OF YOU HAS A VOICE.

WE VOTED FOR YOU BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN YOU.

AND WE WANT YOU TO APPOINT PEOPLE THAT WILL LISTEN TO US BECAUSE LET ME TELL YOU, MASK MANDATES ARE ONE SMALL STEP THAT LEAD DIRECTLY TO VACCINE PASSPORTS.

MY OLDEST DAUGHTER WHO IS IN NEW YORK NOW HAS TO HAVE A VACCINE PASSPORT TO GO TO WORK. AND IT IS SO CLOSE AND I ASK FOR YOUR COURAGE. INC. YOU.

(APPLAUSE) >> SPEAKER: WHO'S NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: ANNA MULDOON? >> SPEAKER: HELLO.

MY NAME IS ANNA MULDOON AND THEY LIVE AT 2042 MOHICAN DRIVE.

>> SPEAKER: TAKE YOUR TIME. >> SPEAKER: I HAD A WHOLE LIST OF WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO YOU GUYS TONIGHT BUT HONESTLY I'M HERE AS A MOM. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD MADE THIS DECISION WITHOUT CONSULTING THE PARENTS.

THE CHILDREN ARE OURS. WE WERE GIVEN THEM.

GOT GAVE US THE AUTHORITY OVER OUR CHILDREN.

(APPLAUSE) NOT THE SCHOOL BOARD, NOT YOU GUYS. LAST YEAR WE CHOSE TO DO VIRTUAL LEARNING WITH OUR DAUGHTER. I HAVE FOUR KIDS ARE ONLY MY OLDEST, SHE'S TEN, SHE IS IN THE FIFTH GRADE, SHE GOES TO YARBOROUGH. LAST YEAR WITH COVID, WE WERE GIVEN A CHOICE. SEND YOUR KIDS WITH MASKS OR VIRTUAL. THIS YEAR WE HAVE NO CHOICE.

IT IS SEND YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL WITH MASK OR, AS I'VE BEEN TOLD MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, YOU CAN HOMESCHOOL THEM.

YOU CAN SEND THEM TO PRIVATE SCHOOL.

I'M SORRY, BUT I DID NOT MOVE TO A LEVEL TEN DISTRICT TO HAVE TO PAY FOR MY CHILD TO BE TAUGHT IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

(APPLAUSE) LAST YEAR OUR DAUGHTER, SHE STRUGGLED WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING. THE TEACHERS HAD -- IN HER SCHOOL THEY HAVE 90 KIDS THAT THEY BROKE UP INTO THREE FOR HER FOURTH GRADE. MY DAUGHTER IS AT A THIRD GRADE LEVEL NOW FOR MATH BECAUSE OF VIRTUAL AND COVID AND MASKING.

I'M TRYING TO GET MY THOUGHTS TOGETHER HERE.

I JUST WISH THAT YOU GUYS, THE CITY COUNCIL, SCHOOL BOARD, THAT THE STATE WOULD LET OUR PARENTS PARENT THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO. IT IS OUR CHOICE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IF SOMETHING IS TO HAPPEN TO OUR CHILD, IF THEY ARE TO GET COVID, IF THEY ARE TO COMMIT SUICIDE, IF THEY ARE TO FALL BEHIND, WE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE LEFT TO PICK UP THE PIECES AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE EMOTIONAL, THE PHYSICAL, THE MENTAL TRAUMA THAT THESE CHILDREN ARE EXPERIENCING. BEING TAUGHT IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY ARE RESTRICTING THEIR FACE, RESTRICTING OXYGEN AND EVERYTHING ELSE. SO PLEASE GIVE US THE PARENTS ARE CHOICE. JUST LAST WEEK WE STILL HAD A CHOICE. YOU GUYS TOOK THAT AWAY FROM US.

[01:25:02]

THERE WERE ONLY TWO OTHER PEOPLE THCHOOL BOARD. THEY CLEARLY HAD THEIR DECISION MADE BEFORE ANYBODY MADE A CASE TO THEM AND THAT IS WHAT IS MOST UPSETTING TO ALL OF US PARENTS THAT ARE HERE AND 800 PARENTS THAT ARE ON THIS GROUP. THAT ARE AGAINST THE SCHOOLS MANDATING THAT OUR CHILDREN HAVE TO WEAR MASKS.

SO WE ASK THAT YOU -- I KNOW YOU SAID DO YOU DON'T HAVE ANY AUTHORITY OVER THEM, THAT YOU CAN'T PUSH THEIR HAND, BUT YOU DO BECAUSE YOU HAVE APPOINTED THEM.

YOU HAVE SOME SAY IN WHAT THEY DO.

PLEASE MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE AND GIVE PARENTS THE CHOICE TO TELL OUR KIDS WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

I KNOW MY TIME IS OVER BUT I'M GOING TO SAY ONE LAST THING.

CAN I ASK EACH OF YOU, YOU GUYS HAVE CHILDREN? TO ALL OF YOU HAVE CHILDREN HERE? IF YOU WERE TO SAY TO YOUR CHILD , IF MOM OR DAD TELLS YOU TO DO SOMETHING BUT SOMEBODY THAT YOU DON'T KNOW, SOMEBODY THAT YOU JUST MET TELLS YOU THAT YOU HAVE TO GO AGAINST WHAT YOUR PARENT SAYS, HOW WOULD YOU SAY -- FEEL? WOULD YOU BE HAPPY? I HAD TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH MY DAUGHTER AND I WAS LIKE HONEY, YOU KNOW THAT WE DON'T PUT MASKS ON. 'S BACK PLEASE WRAP UP, PLEASE.

>> SPEAKER: WE DON'T LIKE MASKS.

SHE HATES TO WEAR A MASK. IF WE SEND YOU TO SCHOOL WITHOUT A MASK AND YOUR TEACHER SAYS THAT YOU HAVE TO WEAR A MASK, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY? AND SHE ACTUALLY HESITATED AND THAT TO ME AS A PARENT IS TRAUMATIZING.

BECAUSE ONE OF THAT WAS A PREDATOR THAT WAS SAYING, YOU -- IT'S OKAY. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THAT WAS YOUR CHILD? AND YOU.

(APPLAUSE). >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: THE NEXT PERSON ON THE LIST WAS BRENDAN BRIAN I BELIEVE HE ALREADY SPOKE. SO IT WILL BE SAMUEL STOCKMAN.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS SAMUEL STOCKMAN AND I LIVE AT 1308 HAMPTON DRIVE, AUBURN, ALABAMA. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW, WORKING AT SCHOOL DOING CLASS WORK WEARING A MASK IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO BREATHE.

IT MAKES YOU FEEL KIND OF NAUSEA DOING YOUR WORK.

AND RUNNING AROUND PE, NOBODY WANTS TO BE WEARING A MASK.

PLAYING FUN GAMES AND STUFF. THE ONLY TIME THAT YOU GET TO HAVE A MASK BREAK IS ONE AT A TIME GOING OUTSIDE, IF YOU ARE LUCKY, OR EATING LUNCH WHERE YOU CAN'T TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS FROM BEING SOCIALLY DISTANCED. WHAT IF MY PARENTS SAY, IF THEY ASK YOU TO WEAR A MASK, SAY NO. YOU DON'T WANT TO DISRESPECT YOUR PARENTS. NOBODY WANTS TO DO THAT.

>> SPEAKER: YOU NEED SOME WATER?

>> SPEAKER: I'M JUST THINKING OF WHAT ELSE I WAS GOING TO SAY.

>> SPEAKER: THAT'S FINE. >> SPEAKER: WHEN IT'S REALLY HOT, WHEN IT'S GETTING CLOSER TO SUMMER AT THE END OF SCHOOL YEAR WHAT IT'S LIKE 100 DEGREES OUT, IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO BREATHE. SOMETIMES YOU CAN HAVE HEART ISSUES FROM WEARING A MASK BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT ADDING FRESH AIR AND YOU ARE BREATHING IN THE AIR THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO BREATHE IN. IT'S A PIECE OF FABRIC.

WHAT IS THAT GOING TO DO WHEN YOU ARE 6 FEET TALKING TO PEOPLE. IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP YOU REALLY. THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: I BELIEVE IT'S REBECCA WALKER'S JONES.

>> SPEAKER: SHE'S ALREADY SPOKEN.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. STEPHEN SMITH.

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A FEW

COMMENTS. >> SPEAKER: NAME AND ADDRESS.

>> SPEAKER: STEPHEN SMITH, ALBERT NALA.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS.

TO UNDERSCORE SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID.

I THINK A LOT OF THE FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF A LOT OF PARENTS IS THE FACT THAT THEY FELT LIKE THE SCHOOL BOARD DIDN'T LISTEN TO THEM. IT DID SEEM TO APPEAR THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD LISTENED TO THE DIFFERENT VIEWS BUT THEN DIDN'T EVEN GO -- DIDN'T ADJOURN, DIDN'T HAVE A MEETING OR DIDN'T

[01:30:04]

I THINK A LOT OF THIS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE -- I THINK THAT'S WHY THIS IS BEING ADDRESSED TO YOU GUYS.

ALSO THE FACT THAT AS BEEN STATED THEY ARE NOT ELECTED.

THEY ARE NOT DIRECTLY -- THEY DON'T DIRECTLY HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE PEOPLE.

NOT BEING ELECTED OFFICIALS, AS HAS BEEN APPOINTED OUR.

YOU APPOINTED THEM. THEY -- I THINK THERE IS SOME ACCOUNTABILITY FROM YOU GUYS IN THAT REGARD.

AT ANY RATE, I WANTED TO MAKE A FEW POINTS.

I AM A HEALTH PRACTITIONER. I'M A LOCAL PHARMACIST IN THE AREA. THE FACT THAT THESE MASKS ARE BEING MANDATED, NOT SUGGESTED BUT MANDATED, I JUST WANTED TO GET SOME THOUGHTS JUST FOR ALL OF US TO CONSIDER FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD TO HEAR. AND CONSIDER IN THEIR DECISION.

WHICH CAN BE, AS I RECENTLY HEARD, I BELIEVE SOUTH CAROLINA, RECENTLY REVERSED THEIR MANDATE. SO WE ARE HOPING FOR THAT.

BUT IN AT ANY RATE, THERE ARE -- YOU CAN ASK -- I WOULD CHALLENGE EVERYONE OF US TO ASK OUR FRIENDS THAT ARE HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, DOCTORS, NURSES, ARE THERE ANY RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDIES THAT SHOW OR DEMONSTRATE THAT MASKS WORK AGAINST RESPIRATORY ILLNESS. RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDIES.

THERE AREN'T ANY. WE HAVE STUDIED GOING BACK 100 YEARS TO THE SPANISH FLU THAT SHOW TO THE CONTRARY.

THE ONLY STUDY THAT WE HAVE SPECIFICALLY REGARDING COVID IS THE DENMARK CITY WHICH OCCURRED LAST YEAR AND IT SHOWED NO STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON PREVENTION.

NORWAY LOOK AT DOING A MASK MANDATE BUT THEIR PUBLIC HEALTH STUDY FOUND OR SHOWED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO MASK 200,000 PEOPLE ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY TO PREVENT ONE INFECTION.

BIDEN JUST RECENTLY -- BIDEN'S TOP ADVISOR DR. WALTER HOLMES SAID QUOTE WE KNOW THAT MANY OF THE FACE CLOTH COVERS THAT PEOPLE ARE WEARING TODAY ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING ANY OF THE VIRUS MOVEMENT IN OR OUT. THIS -- MS. ELLIOTT ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THE FDA EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION, BUT I WOULD WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT. SECTION 564 OF THE FDA COSMETIC FOOD DRUG -- TO ISSUE EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION USED FOR ANY MEDICAL DEVICE WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A MASK YOU HAVE TO BE GIVEN AN OPTION TO ACCEPT OR REFUSE.

THAT FEDERAL LAW. AND LASTLY ANECDOTALLY, ONE THING TO CONSIDER ABOUT THESE MASKS IS IT MAY IN FACT BE GIVING PEOPLE A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.

THIS IS ANECDOTAL BUT I HAD A CUSTOMER WALK INTO OUR PHARMACIST AND TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID AND ASKED HIM HOW HE WAS DOING AND HE SAID HE WAS DOING GREAT.

BY THE WAY, THEY TOLD ME THAT I JUST TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

HE HAD A MASK ON BUT HE IS STANDING SHORTLY IN FRONT OF MY CASHIER. I SAID IF YOU GO OUT TO THE CAR WE WILL TRY TO TAKE IT OUT TO YOU THERE.

MY POINT IS TO SAY THAT IT MAY BE GIVING PEOPLE A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THERE COULD BE A DANGER THEIR TOO. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

(APPLAUSE) >> SPEAKER: THAT WAS EVERYBODY

THAT WAS OUT IN THE HALLWAY. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE INSIDE THE ROOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THAT HASN'T SPOKEN? OKAY.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.