Muskogee Mayor Calls For Mask Compromise Amid ‘State Of Crisis’

Some Muskogee city leaders are speaking up after the city council voted against a mask mandate Monday night in a contentious meeting.

Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman said something needs to be done soon, because the city is in a state of crisis.

Monday's council meeting turned into a tense debate over issue a mask mandate, with Councilman Ivory Vann using dramatic symbolism, such as bringing a prop that looked like coffin to be placed in front of the council. 

"That can be my family member, y’all's family member, I am trying to get y’all's attention!" Vann said.

Three mandates were proposed. Vann proposed one, which would have fined a business a $100 for each patron not wearing a mask. It also required individuals to wear masks as well as policemen when interacting with the public. There was also one proposed by the task force and one proposed by the mayor, neither of them had fines.

The council voted "no" on all three.

Muskogee's COVID Task Force said the city is in a state of crisis, with COVID-19 numbers rising and hospital capacity decreasing. That's why Coleman is urging action.

"This is probably one of the most tumultuous debates that I've ever witnessed as an elected official to wear a mask or to not wear a mask,” Coleman said. “If we can get past the emotion edge and let cooler heads prevail then we can come to a good resolve that can work out for everybody.”

Mahylon's Barbeque Restaurant owner Kenny Greer said he has mixed feelings about the issue.

"I have those people tell me they're not going to come and eat with me until after the pandemic,” Greer said. “Then I've had people who have eaten here, and they'll say thank you for not having your servers all masked and gloved up.” 

Greer said he would be willing to have a mandate if there was not a fine in place.

News on 6 reached out Evelyn Hibbs, who was one of the city councilors who voted "no" to the mask mandate proposals.

"Only 6 people asked me to vote for a mandate and dozens have asked me not to vote for it. I try to vote the way my citizens in Ward 1 want me to vote,” Hibbs said.

Mayor Coleman said he will propose his mask mandate again next week.