ABILENE -- After slightly more than one hour, the Abilene City Commission took no action on a proposed mask ordinance during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon.

During the meeting, the commissioners heard from more than 10 Abilene citizens, all of whom were against all or part of the proposed ordinance. A number of those who spoke told commissioners that the proposed ordinance violated their rights. One man even threatened to sue should the ordinance be passed. 

Commissioners also heard from Dr. Brian Holmes, chief medical officer for Dickinson County, who refuted some of the claims made by the citizens who spoke. Holmes reiterated that the wearing of masks does, indeed, help to deter the spread of COVID-19.

In the end, however, the motion to approve the ordinance died for a lack of a second.

ABILENE -- After slightly more than one hour, the Abilene City Commission took no action on a proposed mask ordinance during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon.During the meeting, the commissioners heard from more than 10 Abilene citizens, all of whom were against all or part of the proposed ordinance. A number of those who spoke told commissioners that the proposed ordinance violated their rights. One man even threatened to sue should the ordinance be passed. Commissioners also heard from Dr. Brian Holmes, chief medical officer for Dickinson County, who refuted some of the claims made by the citizens who spoke. Holmes reiterated that the wearing of masks does, indeed, help to deter the spread of COVID-19.In the end, however, the motion to approve the ordinance died for a lack of a second.

Proposed Abilene mask ordinance dies for lack of a second