Closure of Camp Bay access is criminal

The closure of the Camp Bay Road public lake access is a crime. 

The public waterfront at Camp Bay is being stolen from the people of Bonner County. This backroom deal was made in the shadows by officials with major conflict of interest. Now, the commissioners continue to act in a dictatorial manner by refusing to allow the access issue to be reopened.

The Camp Bay public access has a market value in the tens of millions of dollars. This public boat launch, ferry terminal, fishing spot and beach is of immeasurable public value for years to come. The claim that this access is only "50 feet" in width cannot accord with the historical record. Everyone in Bonner County is witnessing the truth about "our democracy" with this illegal and immoral gift to private interests.

The commissioners have no lawful right to give away the Camp Bay public lake access. It is entirely within the public interest to retain this immensely valuable lake access for the benefit of generations to come. Any commissioner who says otherwise should be ridden out of town on a rail. A hundred years ago they would have tarred and feathered any commissioner who had the gall to endorse such a robbery of the public purse.

It is quite inexplicable for people who claim to undertake a position of public trust to give away a multi-million dollar ferry terminal, boat launch, beach and fishing spot. It begs the question: How much are they being paid, and by whom?

MARK BERNHEISEL

Sandpoint