TETON VALLEY, Ida. — With COVID still an issue in Teton Valley and a ‘second wave’ perhaps imminent, the mayor of Victor made a formal request to the sheriff of Teton County Idaho, pressuring him to make regular reports on what his agency is doing to enforce the city’s mask ordinance or face firing.
In a letter dated October 7, Mayor Will Frohlich asked Sheriff Tony Liford to provide bi-weekly reports on progress such as how many businesses were visited for compliance, how many warnings were given, and how many individual infractions issued.
Liford, meanwhile, has stated publicly he is not inclined to enforce a mask law.
“I’m not turning citizens, members of this community, and putting a mark on their criminal history. I think this is overreach,” Liford said in an interview with the Post Register. “And I think this isn’t New York. This isn’t Chicago. This isn’t California. This is Teton County, Idaho. What are we at? 27 cases. The reaction here I think is way over the top.”
With Liford not seeking reelection, Frohlich insists his letter was not politically motivated nor a threat.
“This request is not driven by politics, nor is it intended as a threat. In fact, I’ve had great conversations with both candidates running for sheriff this fall and a professional working relationship with Sheriff Liford to date,” Frohlich wrote in a letter to the sheriff.
Frohlich said he wants a report emailed to him on the 1st and 15th of every month.
“Failure to do so will cause me to bring the agreement between The City of Victor and Teton County Sheriff’s Office forward for discussion of its immediate termination. I do not want to bring our agreement up for termination, but also cannot sit on the sidelines while some of our local laws are ignored.”
