There Is No Quitting…We Will Keep Pushing Together
Thank you to all of those in the community who have taken the time to do a health check on me as you stay tuned into local government. If you witnessed, watched or spread the news of today’s “meeting” you will agree that local government demands your full attention. A decision made today at the local level, impacts you immediately.
Today, public comment was removed from the agenda to include the option for the public to speak after each agenda item. This is unfortunate…there was no vote…there was no update to the county ordinance that allows for public comment. Many people have been engaged in local government, as you should. After the other commissioners left the room, I requested that technology continue to stream the meeting. Technology declined and shut down the system so the video you see doesn’t show all of what took place.
During the non-streamed meeting that took place, the community and I agreed that arriving at 0800 to do a community discussion with myself would be agreeable. The downside, I need technology support. I did reach out for assistance from technology support outside of the county admin building and I am waiting for a response on assistance. I will keep you posted on this development.
Commissioner Omodt noticed that the room was not cleared, and a person called Sandpoint police department with an apparent request to forcibly remove members of the public from the county building. Counsel has advised the board of such a decision…the input appears to have been ignored ased on the action. I showed the officer the agenda, noting no inappropriate behavior. The officer did not engage the community. They were respectful and left the room with Commissioner Omodt. I am not aware of who called, or the outcome of any discussion related. I do believe that Redoubt news caught the interaction on video.
Today, Commissioner Bradshaw immediately stepped down from the chair and attempted to remove my District 2 report citing that my report had nothing to do with Bonner County business. I argued that my entire report was related to the business of Bonner County. Bradshaw did not receive a second to his motion and it died.
Commissioner Bradshaw and Omodt continued with the agenda and got to the item of public comment. I noted the need to encourage involvement of the community in local government and it fell on deaf ears. Bradshaw adjourned the meeting refusing to hear the balance of the agendized items. The meeting was ended as both again left the meeting room.
Many have asked…what can we do. I am directing the community to the Republican Central Committee Chairman Scott Herndon, the Republican party as a whole as all three commissioners ran as Republicans. I have also advised that they reach out to the prosecutor’s office.
I was asked by many…how can we help. I am going to provide a response that I have to a community member and hopefully you understand my thought process. “
I have been focused on my job as a commissioner and my expectation that I do my best to represent the people of Bonner County. This is inclusive of not reacting and/or responding to hate and vitriol from anyone. It is easy to mirror Christ in the good times. However, it is a test of one’s foundation and faith to do the same during the hard times. I am responsible to more than just the public for how I respond during this particular test of resilience. It is my goal that people see me as not only consistent with my politics and representation as a Constitutional, Liberty Minded, Conservative but most of all that I uphold my faith.
I came prepared for the difficulty of this position and the depths unknown of how strongly transparency would be fought against. I only ask that people pray that in this highly visible role in the county, that I exhibit not only conservative values but Christ Like behaviors. Every day I tell myself to maintain his strength and start each day with forgiveness in advance.”
To be clear…QUITTING HAS NEVER – AND WILL NEVER – CROSS MY MIND. WHEN I ENCOUNTER AN OBSTACLE, LIKE THE ANT…I SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STRENGTH FOR TOMORROW. MUCH OF THAT STRENGTH…COMES FROM YOU, THE COMMUNITY THAT I REPRESENT.
First published on idahotruenorthnews.com
Related: WATCH: Commissioner Goes on Tirade Against the Public
Related: Witchcraft in the Commissioners Office?
I was watching Colonel Macgregor on a well-known podcast,
when the host stated the problem with America is too tolerant
Christians, lazy Republicans and live and let live libertarians to which
Macgregor responded “tolerance of the intolerable leads to an
unhappy end.” And that is where America is headed, a very unhappy
end.
All of us “bacteria” will be clinging on with you Asia! You have our support!