DORI MONSON

Mossyrock, WA passes ordinance allowing businesses to stay open

Nov 27, 2020, 1:46 PM

Gov. Jay Inslee...

Gov. Jay Inslee. (TVW)

(TVW)

The town of Mossyrock, Wash., passed an ordinance allowing businesses to stay open in defiance of Gov. Inslee’s COVID mandates. Mayor Randall Sasser argues that there’s little data to support keeping businesses closed, and that not all areas should be held to the same standard.

“I think this is a very important issue that’s going on within our country and within our state right now, and we’ve got to stand up for what is right,” Sasser told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson Show. “They have issued the numbers by commissioner’s district, but not by zip code. And currently in Mossyrock, in our 98564 zip code, there is no information that states that there is any cases whatsoever within our zip code of COVID, or any deaths related to it.”

“One of the interesting comments I made at our council meeting was that in Lewis County this year, we’ve had a total, as of today, of 14 deaths due to COVID, unfortunately,” he said. “But so far this year, we’ve had 10 suicides, and last year there was only three suicides in Lewis County. So when we look at the shutdowns and everything that’s happening and there’s no data that says the Mossyrock area 98564 zip code has any cases or deaths, why then should we suffer as a city and as citizens following the governor’s mandate?”

Sasser says areas not as impacted by COVID should not be held to the same standards as those hardest hit, and that Inslee is not sufficiently providing data to back up the lockdowns.

“The other thing that we did is that we actually put in a public records request from Lewis County health to release that information as far as zip codes,” he said. “Because how can you manage a pandemic if you don’t know exactly where the hot spots are? And if in our area we do not have any hot spots, so then why should we as a community be held hostage with our schools and our citizens to the rest of the state?”

Koko’s Bartini issued $500 fine, still fighting Inslee’s COVID mandates

“I understand that this is a very serious pandemic, so I don’t want to make light of that, but by the same token, they need to give us the information so we can make the decisions,” Sasser added. “And one thing I shared with the council was that if we had the documentation, if we had the data that the governor keeps talking about … and it showed that, yes, it was coming from the restaurants or it was coming from gyms or salons, then that’s a whole different ball park, you know? But he doesn’t. There is no data that shows that it’s coming from the restaurants.”

Sasser has been mayor for three years, and served on the city council for a few years prior. He believes the approach that’s being taken in the state of Washington is more about control.

“Early on, I thought it was a financial thing, but I believe it’s more of a control than anything else,” he said. “I believe that they want to be able to control us and tell us what we need to do and get us accustomed to always following what they say. Because I believe that there is something bigger that they have planned to keep us under their thumb.”

Many WA students missing out on ‘one time to be in organized sports

“First thing, I believe that they’re definitely going to try to get some sort of income tax to pay for all of the money that’s been printed,” he added. “I believe also that as people are just following whatever the governor says that it makes it easier for them to … pass legislation for gun control and that sort of thing.”

Listen to the Dori Monson Show weekday afternoons from noon – 3 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dori Monson Show

Dori Monson

Dori Monson stage show...

MyNorthwest Staff

Watch: Dori Monson’s ‘What are the Odds?’ stage show

In 2019, Dori Monson hosted a stage show - 'What are the Odds?' - which introduced you to the people who helped shape his improbable career.

1 year ago

Dori Monson welcomes the Moose back to KIRO. Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest...

MyNorthwest Staff

A collection of the all-time best Dori Monson stories

With the passing of Dori Monson, a collection of some of his top stories to remember all the hard work Dori brought to Seattle.

1 year ago

Alaska, fishing...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Listen: Friends, colleagues offer tribute to KIRO Newsradio’s Dori Monson

All day Monday, KIRO Newsradio's John Curley talked to friends, news makers, and more in tribute to Dori Monson.

1 year ago

Dori Monson Shorecrest...

Dori Monson Show

How to support charities reflecting Dori Monson’s values, passions

In tribute to Dori Monson, learn more about how you can support these three charities which best reflect his values, passions, and advocacy.

1 year ago

From left, Producer Nicole Thompson and KIRO host Dori Monson. (Courtesy of the Monson family)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Broadcasters, politicians, coworkers and friends remember Dori Monson

Dori Monson, a longtime KIRO Newsradio host, passed away Saturday. He is remembered by public figures, broadcasters, coworkers, and listeners.

1 year ago

Dori Monson...

MyNorthwest Staff

Longtime KIRO Newsradio host Dori Monson dies at age 61

We are deeply saddened to announce Dori Monson's sudden passing on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at a Seattle hospital.

1 year ago

Mossyrock, WA passes ordinance allowing businesses to stay open