Questionable deal threatening our liberty, wallets

I attended the Bonner County Commission's special meeting on Friday, June 16. I was stunned by what appeared to me to be open contempt and hostility displayed by commissioners Steve Bradshaw and Luke Omodt toward Commissioner Asia Williams and most of the citizens who attended the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to force a vote on rezoning of property currently held by the sheriff’s office in order to give it to the fairgrounds. It is curious that neither the sheriff, nor the fairgrounds commission asked for this and neither party apparently wants it.

It is also curious that the notice for the meeting went out 24 hours and 3 minutes prior to the meeting and that the vote could have just as easily been conducted during a normally scheduled county commission meeting. I was also surprised when Commissioner Bradshaw stated no public comments would be allowed and threatened to clear the room if anyone objected. Commissioner Williams objected to the last-minute meeting to force the vote and was openly criticized by both Bradshaw and Omodt.

Commissioner Williams repeatedly stated that Commissioner Omodt has refused to provide her documentation related to this issue. I find the lack of civility and transparency from Commissioners Bradshaw and Omodt to be deeply troubling.

I urge Bonner County voters to become more engaged in county commissioner meetings before we find ourselves saddled with ordinances, rules, regulations, and questionable deals that might threaten our liberty and our wallets.

JOSEPH JACKSON

Sandpoint