What happened to Whiskey Jack Road contract?

On Sept. 8, 2022, reporter Lyndsie Kiebert wrote an article quoting commissioners.

Bonner County commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 30, 2022, in favor of contracting surveying services to plan a route for a secondary access to Whiskey Jack Road in West Oden Bay.

Bonner County Road and Bridge Director Jason Topp presented the contract to the commissioners, during the board's weekly business meeting emphasizing the project to increase public safety for those using the road, located east of Kootenai.

The country contracted with Pivolt Land Surveying to locate a route through private and railroad land. Bonner County was to pay a $5,000 deposit and all work was estimated to cost $10,000, with a limit not to exceed $12,000. Work was set to begin in September and continue in October. 

Commissioner Dan McDonald was quoted as saying "good to see efforts going forward to increase safety for residents of Whiskey Jack. We have been working on this for a long time. This is a can that the county has kicked down the road for decades, and we are finally going to get it resolved. Thanks to the landowners who have been so good to work with."

So, my questions are simply, what happened? Not only is Whiskey Jack Road road narrow, passing impossible, severe eroding, a bridge over Boyer Slough falling apart and only one way out across railroad tracks for Ponder Point, Kootenai, Whiskey Jack Road, Whiskey Jack Circle and Miramont Road residents? In addition, future development of 20-plus homes is expected.

Where did that money go and who is responsible to fulfill this contract? Why haven't the residents been notified of their decision? Accountability is needed. Let's have some answers.

MARGO JOHNSON

Sandpoint