ABERDEEN, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – The Aberdeen City Council voted down a mask mandate 5-4 on Monday night, but did agree to focus on more marketing to encourage people to wear masks.

Aberdeen Mayor Travis Schaunaman does not believe in a mask mandate and said the city has a solid mask resolution already in place.

Councilwoman Tiffany Langer would like a mask mandate and is concerned about health care providers.

Most of the state’s largest cities have either supported or defeated mask mandates in the past week. Schaunaman said he keeps an eye on what those cities are doing.

Langer said everybody needs to be kind and treat each other with respect regardless of their opinions.

While the pandemic has produced anxiety and stress, there are also many positive things in the Hub City. Aberdeen has seen an increase in sales taxes and is headed in the right direction, according to Schaunaman.

The next week includes Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday. Langer, a small business owner, said it’s important to remember to shop local.