As I read the Friday, July 24, 2020 headline, "PC Beach Passes Mask Mandate," I was momentarily heartened that finally, the light of science was burning through the dark clouds of preconceived notions of the anti-mask crowd with their Luddite world outlook and faux-freedom rhetoric. At least until I got to Councilman Geoff McConnell's bizarre deconstruction of his vote FOR the temporary mandatory mask ordinance.

McConnell's "deep reservations on the enforcement" side of the mask ordinance, which simply calls for the wearing of a facemask inside all business within the PCB city limits, is rife with political connotations of a politician attempting to appease all sides and failing to do so, excuse himself from what is the correct decision by couching his assent in the vanilla fish wrap of the anti-masking crowd.

Is this McConnell related to Moscow Mitch McConnell? Talk about the character of one's convictions! McConnell's, Geoff McConnell's, that is, comments show part of the deconstruction that has occurred in this country among public officials whose "grave doubts" for voting on controversial proposals seemingly does not extend beyond their own thoughts of Panhandle political correctness.

Why not be satisfied that the Council did the right thing to assist in preventing a further spiraling out of control of a virus already rampant in our State because of the very reticence of public officials, yes that is spelled DeSantis, to do the right thing and heed the advice of the public health officials?

Is there no end to the political grave-robbing of those that wish to highlight their vote by weaseling "Yes, but..."?

It's time for public officials to stop the side commentary in an attempt to appease a segment of the electorate that might get their noses out of joint next election, that is if they survive until then.

They should stand on their conviction that they have voted with the best evidence at hand and work to mitigate the inconveniences caused by having to tell people to do something that costs them nothing and gets the economy back on a more normal footing and saves lives, rather than publicly second-guessing your vote for political expediency.

You ran for office because you wanted to lead. So do so, with conviction.

Gordon Gral, Panama City Beach

Original post:

OPINION: PCB Council did the right thing - The News Herald