ROCKLAND — Knox County Commissioners began their regular meeting via Zoom April 12 by recognizing Roxanne Simmons, who is retiring after 21 years of service with the Knox County District Attorney’s office.

Commissioner Sharyn Pohlman was absent from the proceedings.  

Commissioners and County Administrator Andrew Hart thanked Simmons and praised her for dedicated years of service to the county. 

Commissioners voted in favor of a resolution to support the people of Ukraine:

WHEREAS, the Russian military has invaded Ukraine without justification; and 

WHEREAS, this invasion has killed and injured civilians and caused a grave humanitarian and refugee crisis; and 

WHEREAS, the military and civilians of Ukraine are fighting courageously for their freedom at mortal peril; and 

WHEREAS, public expressions of support for the people of Ukraine have galvanized national governments, businesses, and organizations around the world to concrete action to hinder this invasion and mitigate its effects; and 

WHEREAS, Knox County is home to people who suffered or whose family's suffered oppression behind the Iron Curtain; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS FOLLOWS: 

THAT the County of Knox condemns the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military; and 

THAT the County of Knox regards this invasion as not just a humanitarian catastrophe but also as an affront to the principles of democracy, liberty, and self-determination; and 

THAT the County of Knox stands in solidarity with the small towns and cities of Ukraine as well as with the larger Ukrainian populace; and 

THAT the County of Knox extends its sympathy to the Russian civilians who will suffer from sanctions as a result of the conduct of their leaders; and 

THAT the County of Knox wishes for an expeditious end to this violent conflict that respects the territorial integrity and cultural and political autonomy of Ukraine. 

Commissioner Dorothy Meriwether said it was the same resolve that was voted on by Rockland only this one will carry the signatures of the three county commissioners.  

District Attorney Natasha Irving commented that part of her family is Ukrainian and they are here because of actions by the then USSR about 100 years ago. Irving commented that she was glad the commissioners had condemned Russia’s actions.  

Meriwether moved on to the issue of cybersecurity under discussion items. She said it was based on an article that had been sent out from the national association of counties, as well as a technology guide for county leaders specifically of cyber questions.  

Meriwether said she had asked Hart to ask Mike Dean, the head of the county’s IT department, to review the 10 questions and comment on where they stand.  

Dean said the bottom line is he is audited every other year by the federal government and the state government. 

“We generally hit about a 98-percent on those audits,” he said.  

Dean hesitated and said he wasn’t sure how in-depth the commission wanted him to go.  

Meriwether abruptly shifted gears and wanted the discussion to end.  

“Somebody just pointed out to me this is a security issue,’ she said. “And we should probably be discussing this in executive session where it’s not public information.” 

The attached PDF is the ten questions Meriwether received.