Omodt issues public apology on behalf of board

SANDPOINT — During the Bonner County commissioners’ Tuesday morning meeting, Commissioner Luke Omodt issued a public apology on behalf of the board for a comment that was made by Commissioner Asia Williams a few weeks ago.

During a special meeting Nov. 16, Williams made a comment that the other commissioners were playing “ring around the …” and used a derogatory term for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities. 

Williams’ comment was made during a conversation on whether the commission should remove  attorney-client privilege from the board, while Williams argued it really meant only removing privileges from her.

Almost three weeks later, Williams has yet to issue an apology, which many county residents have been calling for. Because of the silence, Omodt decided to issue an apology as chairman of the board.

“To say that that [statement] is offensive is an understatement,” he said. “While there are some members of this board that choose not to apologize for their comments, I will apologize to the public for that comment being made at one of our meetings. It was inappropriate then. It is inappropriate now. And it never should have been uttered.”

Commissioner Steve Bradshaw agreed with Omodt’s statement and apology for the statement. Williams made no comments regarding either her statement or the apology that was issued by the chairman.