Courthouse remodel letter was incorrect

Recently, a letter to the editor of the Daily Bee cast concern over the mitigation of asbestos at the county courthouse.

Suffice it to say that the letter was full of inconsistencies and outright misstatements. The contractor that is responsible for the courthouse remodel has consistently practiced state of the art abatement methods and all mitigation procedures have been conducted in a contained environment and cleaned up with concomitant testing and proper disposal processes.

The reconstruction is not a debacle but rather an orderly process that is assuring the continued use of a stately and beloved piece of history here in the county. Testing has been conducted before the work commenced and at each stage of mitigation to ensure safety and protection for the county employees and the citizens visiting the courthouse.

Commissioners have visited the facility many times in the last months indeed commissioners have been in the basement assessing electrical issues, on the roof and in the areas of mitigation several times. The county has carefully “ponied” up the funds to restore the courthouse to usefulness and to protect the health and safety of the employees and citizens using it.

Finally, the commissioners have not occupied the courthouse offices for about three years. However we will continue to oversee, visit and participate in the reconstruction as needed and required pursuant to our responsibilities.

LEWIS RICH

CORNEL RASOR

MIKE NIELSEN

Bonner County commissioners