County isn't interested in planning and zoning issues

Perhaps Bud Mueller is right after all. It has become apparent that this county is not interested in Planning and Zoning and, worse, is either incapable or unwilling to enforce the laws that currently exist.

During my tenure on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Bonner County Commissioners routinely overturned decisions made by us for what appeared to be political reasons. This is made worse by the county's unwillingness to do more than make noise when its rulings are disobeyed or ignored, especially the county prosecutor's office that often refuses to enforce county land use laws.

It's been six years since the boat house on Bottle Bay was deemed illegal and deadlines have come and gone without the county acting. Other violations of waterfront or other setbacks end up mired in the bureaucracy. How many years did it take to resolve the illegal carport on Schweitzer? Does anyone remember the house in Lakeview that violated all setbacks? What about the lakefront home off Eureka Road with the vastly expanded boat house and other waterfront incursions?

Either enforce the rules or get rid of them. The adage that it's easier to ask for forgiveness rather than permission is true in Bonner County.

STEVE FELS

Sagle