Leigh Commissioners, meeting via Zoom, once again heard a motion from Commissioner Nathan Brown to urge Pa. Governor Tom Wolf to move Lehigh County from COVID-19 phase Red to phase Yellow earlier than June 5.

Unlike at the previous meetings his motion received a second so the issue moved to a discussion. This time Commissioner Dr. Percy Dougherty seconded Brown’s motion. He said he supported the motion because, “this time it is only asking [Gov. Wolf to reconsider.] It’s not forcing the Governor to do anything.”

“I simply want us to ask Governor Wolf to reassess before June 6 and open up as soon as possible,” said Brown who sponsored the motion.

Brown said that he had the support of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and St. Luke’s University Health Network who, according to Brown, say they are ready to move into the Yellow phase.

He said that for small businesses [who are shutdown] each day is catastrophic. “The Yellow Phase is still very restrictive. You go from 10 people gathering to 25 people gathering.”

Brown said he would trade his chances for election to the Pa. House of Representatives in exchange for early opening of business “in a heartbeat.”

“We’ve still got to move cautiously,” said Brown. “There are lives that are in the balance.”

“From the top down we’ve had no plan,” said Brown.

Commissioner Zakiya Smalls said she supported the motion because the number of cases has decreased and that she is anxious to see businesses reopen.

Commissioner Amy Zanelli said she knows the Governor is assessing the [coronavirus] plan on a daily basis. “This [motion] sounds like we don’t believe the governor is reassessing on a daily basis and that’s not true. In a way it’s almost insulting.”

Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong said, “We have been contacting [Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel] Levine and members of the [Pa.] cabinet and they are listening to us. That is one of the reasons we are going from Red to Yellow.”

Armstrong said the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce supports the governor’s current plan. He pointed out the inequity of large retailers are open with long lines of people who are not following social distancing with small retailers like Kleckner and Sons Appliances and Electronics, who can’t open.

“They [Kleckners] could handle the social distancing and the masks even better,” said Armstrong. “We used that argument that you can go to Target and get running shoes, but you can’t go to the Running Store in Emmaus. We have a responsibility to get our small businesses open, but we have do it in the most safe way.”

“As a county we have already let the governor know we would appreciate him looking at us every day,” said Armstrong.

Commissioner Geoff Brace was concerned that the proposed action was motion while the commissioners usually express their concerns via resolutions. “The lack of public notification on this is a significant concern.”

Resident David Flannery, still via internet, said he represents an organization called Restore Lehigh Valley and Reopen Lehigh County School who wish its members voices to be heard. He presented statistics which he said shows low mortality rates for coronavirus. He described the health risks of people not getting routine health care for heart disease, cancer and other illnesses. He said, “Over-counting of fatalities nationwide have been over counted by 25 percent.”

Flannery said, “ Governor Wolf’s administration must turn away from their [its] fear-based, illogical decision-making and instead use up to date data in decision making.”

Registered Nurse and respiratory therapist with 30 years’ experience Christine Loch said, “I think a lockdown was essential until we got our hands around and understood this novel virus. We have no treatment for it and we have no effective vaccine. I think we need to frame this as health issue and not as a business issue.”

“What are we doing to ensure businesses do follow the protocols? asked Loch. “Every life is priceless and we have no right to put a price on it.”

Personal trainer Gwen Sagula of Emmaus spoke to the commissioners, saying she is self-employed and “has not received a dime” for unemployment benefits. She criticized the governor for allowing for curb-side liquor pick up when, she claimed, there is correlation between liquor use and suicide.

Slatington resident Lauren Ganser said she thought Wolf was basing a lot his decisions on inaccurate data and listening to a doctor [Pa. Secretary of Health Levine] whose specialty is eating disorders, “which is an insult to our intelligence.” She also said she doesn’t think the governor “is on our side.”

Coopersburg resident Janet Tremer said she wasn’t interested in listening to “alarmists,” but urged commissioners to follow the governor’s plan. “You have to be alive to earn a livelihood.”

Commissioner David Harrington said he wants to keep to a science-based plan.

The motion failed again in a bipartisan split. This time the vote was 6 against and 2 for the motion. Dougherty did not vote because he was off-line due to a technical problem that caused him to miss the vote.

Commissioners voting against the motion: Amy Zanelli (D), Dan Hartzell (D), Bob Elbich (D), Dave Harrington (D), Marc Grammes (R), and Geoff Brace (D). Voting for the motion were Nathan Brown (R) and Zakiya Smalls (D).

Lehigh County Senior Operations Executive Rick Molchany explained to commissioners how he would partially reopen Lehigh County offices and facilities on June 8 around the principle of hygiene, social distancing, protective equipment and screening.

In other business, cOmmissioners approved the appointment of Whitehall attorney Thomas M. Caffrey to the position of Lehigh County Solicitor.

They also approved a contract with Crane Supply also known as Crane Rx to establish an onsite pharmacy at Cedar Brook Nursing Home.

In other business, the Commissioners approved the lease agreement with Gracie Baseball, owners of the Iron Pigs, for the Coca Cola Stadium due the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re proud to have them,” said Commissioner Marc Grammes. “This is a good deal for all of us.”