A continued public hearing on the application of the Carbon County Lion/Lioness Fair Association almost didn’t materialize on Tuesday.

Before the start of Tuesday’s hearing, Lower Towamensing Zoning hearing board Chairman James Ord asked if everyone was required to wear their masks.

Ord’s question was in response to township Supervisor Jay Mullikin, who was not wearing his mask.

“I have never worn a mask (inside the township municipal building where the hearing was conducted),” Mullikin said.

Upon Mullikin’s refusal to wear his mask, Ord got up from his seat and began to walk out of the meeting room.

“I’m not moving,” Mullikin said.

Ord reluctantly returned to his seat.

“I can’t understand why people aren’t interested in public safety,” Ord said.

Mullikin told Ord he saw things differently.

“It’s not a law,” Mullikin said.

Eventually, Mullikin got up from his seat and moved to the back of the room.

“I can be of no danger back here,” Mullikin said.

Ultimately, the zoning hearing board held a continued public hearing on the application of the Carbon County Lion/Lioness Fair Association seeking the variance.

After a 40-minute recess, zoners agreed to grant a variance for the Carbon County Lion/Lioness Fair Association.