Agenda - Council - 04/13/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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government did to them. She commented that she was one of 120,000 people ofJapanese descent rounded up from their western homes and sent to an American prison camp during World War II. She stated that their only crime was looking like the enemy. She stated that her father came to the country in 1899 and worked hard to provide for his family and give them a chance at the American dream. She provided background information on the experience of her family during that time noting that two thirds of those imprisoned were born in the United States and were technically citizens and yet they obeyed the orders to show their loyalty to the country. She stated that a Congressional hearing in 1980 found there was no military necessity to remove the Japanese from their west coast homes, rather the root causes were years of racial discrimination and fear of war. She provided information on the camps, noting she was only six years old when she was brought to the camp. She commented that her brother chose to serve in the military after graduating in order to show his family's loyalty while the remainder of his family was still in the camp. She commented that there is no comparison between a mask mandate to preserve the health of the public and the imprisonment ofJapanese citizens. She stated that the act of not wearing a mask is more of a selfish act in not thinking about others. Councilmember Howell commented that historically when we have been pressured by those in government to look the other way and not question their actions, innocents have suffered the consequences. She stated that her deliberations in Council pointed to that historical reality and she will go on standing against those that use the power of government to abuse the rights of others in fulfilment of her oath to uphold the constitution. She stated that they will have to agree to disagree. Mark Coren, 1600 Old Sims Road in Oak Grove, commented that for the past 25 years he has spent many years at his manufacturing business in Ramsey. He commented that unfortunately, he is not able to vote in Ramsey but he does have a very large voice that resonates with many across the country. He stated that for the past 20 years he has told people that he would move his building from Ramsey to Oak Grove because of the lower taxes and increased freedoms, until now. He commented that this new leadership gives him hope. He stated that as the former Mayor of Oak Grove he helped to reduce taxes, limit government interference and bring common sense conservative leadership and directives to the city. He commented that extended unlawful mandates is damaging communities and businesses. He commented that his business is a private company and should follow its directives rather than unlawful mandates. He stated that he is finally hopeful in the new majority of City leadership in Ramsey that can stand firm and defend freedoms that will benefit all citizens and business owners. He commented that it is time this City runs like a private sector business and the new leadership should hold the City accountable for all dollars spent. He commented that a franchise fee is an additional tax for government spending. Jim Benson, 14131 Junkite Street NW, spoke in support of the Councilmembers that supported that antimask mandate. He stated that outrage over the resolution is fake, contrived and ridiculous. He stated that the resolution changes nothing and simply says that Ramsey will not waste resources looking for people not wearing masks, which they were already not doing. He stated that the resolution does not mandate that businesses change anything about their practices or mask decisions. He stated that a majority of the Council spoke out and thousands of control freaks felt a disturbance in force and demanded that those responsible be silenced. He stated that people wrote articles and social media posts searching for those that might be offended by Councilmember Howell's comments. He stated that government represents something people want to believe is City Council / March 23, 2021 Page 4 of 24