Marie Scott needs to resign office

Long rumored, Bonner County government good ole boy/gal crony network. Marie Scott tells commissioners “how it will go.”

County (voters) began cleansing itself with defeat of former Assessor Judie Conlan, election of Jerry Clemons. Clemons quickly cleaned up the mess in the assessors office, provided well-trained assessors and realistic property evaluations.

Next to go, Joe Young. Joe ignored constituents, pushed expensive pet projects no one wanted or would use. Slid into job in Clerk’s Office. Was this “cronyism” or what. What did Marie owe Joe? Will she do it again in 2013?

Cornel Rasor and Mike Nielsen were elected as commissioners. Neither needed a job, but seeing way county was being run, ran to correct it. “Queen Bee” Marie soon found she couldn’t “run” them.

Improprieties discovered in county accounting procedures. Property carried as assets no longer owned by county. Outside audits not being held. Oh, yes, Scott is also county auditor.

County not competitively bidding insurance. Long-time agency found to be uncompetitive when commissioners bid insurance, and had been overcharging taxpayers for years. Negligence on Marie’s part or “cronyism” at its best?

Scott has been obstructionist in withholding, delaying budget information needed by commissioners to make sound financial decisions. Hiding something or just not doing her job?

Now Marie avoids, storms out of meetings, and addresses Nielsen with vulgarities. Totally unacceptable behavior.

Marie Scott has been clerk/auditor for more than 20 years — entirely too long. Scott should resign. If she doesn’t, we voters should remove the “Queen Bee,”last of the good ole boy/gal crony network in 2014.

PHIL POUTRÉ

Cocolalla