GREEN BAY, Wis (NBC 26) -- On Tuesday the city of Appleton's face mask ordinance went into effect requiring everyone entering a city-owned building to put a mask on. But in Green Bay city leaders voted Monday night to not recommend implementing their own city-wide face mask ordinance.
Green Bay's Protection and Policy committee were split right down the middle Monday night on a decision that recommended adopting an ordinance that would have required everyone to wear a mask in any place where people can't socially distance.
The nearly 3 hours of dialogue, before the vote, was contentious at times according to alder's NBC26 spoke with. Some aldermen believing it was an ordinance that was in the best interest of the community and others believing that citizens we're feeling like the local government was taking too many steps into their personal lives.
Today NBC26 spoke with two aldermen from Green Bay who both believe that the mayor will likely consider asking the full committee to vote on a new face mask ordinance in the near future when a finalized ordinance is presented.
Randy Scannell, Green Bay's District 7 Alderperson says he's not sure if Mayor Genrich will use his executive powers to bring a full committee vote to the forefront. But he encourages citizens to voice their opinions now so that city leaders understand the public's stance.
"I still think the majority of people support this. And I think it would be good if everybody who is interested in this, to step up and start getting involved. Contact your alders, contact the mayor's office," says Scannell.
Mark Steuer, Green Bay's District 10 Alderperson says he heard from 52 constituents regarding the potential ordinance before Monday's vote. Steuer says 42 of the emails and phone calls he received were in favor of opposing the recommendation of the face mask ordinance.
"I think a lot of the citizens spoke, at least to me, and I think it might be the same results. I'm not sure," adds Steuer, who believes it is likely that Mayor Genrich's administration is working on a face mask ordinance now.
The Green Bay Mayor's office has not commented as to whether or not Eric Genrich and his administration are working on a face mask ordinance to be considered for the Common Council.
