Pardon my French!

This letter is in reference to the profane and unprofessional conduct of Clerk Marie Scott at this month’s public county commissioners’ meeting. I feel compelled to address her vulgarity but you won’t have to “pardon my French.”

As a retired CPA, it has been my observation that for more than 20 years, Ms. Scott has directly overseen the record keeping and reporting of the county's business. As a result, she has vast knowledge of how the system works — and we all know that knowledge is power. Thus, by sharing or by withholding information, she wields control over greenhorn commissioners.

But if they dare to challenge or question her, they run the risk of her temper tantrums and ridicule. In fact, her condescending comportment is so legendary she has earned the nickname “Marie Scoff.”

It is surrealistic to me, as a CPA, that this situation even exists. In other words, her raison d'être is to provide crucial accounting information in a timely and comprehensible manner so that commissioners as a manager can make the best financial decisions for the county. Now, as long as commissions capitulated to her way of thinking, then the system seemingly worked well. To be sure, continuity and competency are necessary for good government, but no one person should possess this much power and control over records and decision making.

Ms. Scott has been in office for too long as evidenced by her hostile and unhealthy attitude. She needs to move over or move out, so the county can move on.

SUE HOPKINS

Sandpoint