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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The Voters Have Spoken On Jail

D.F. Oliveria For The Editorial

Bonner County Commissioners Bud Mueller and Larry Allen believe their narrow margins of victory in November’s election gave them a mandate to gut county government.

Apparently, however, they don’t see any mandates in other election results.

The anti-government radicals, who axed the county building department two weeks ago, now are tinkering with plans for a new Bonner County Jail. Never mind that the design and plans were approved countywide last May by a margin of almost 500 votes - or more than the combined total of Mueller and Allen’s margins. Never mind that the $3.9 million jail meets only minimum state and federal requirements now.

In fact, never mind Sheriff Chip Roos.

Without consulting Roos, a fellow Republican who will will be responsible for the new jail, Mueller and Allen are targeting “waste” in this bare-bones proposal. At least, we think they are. They have quit talking to the media until we begin “printing the truth” about them - or, more specifically, their version of the truth.

So, here you have two commissioners who won’t talk to other elected officials. Or the media. Or county employees. Who hide things from Democratic Commissioner Dale Van Stone. Who meet in courthouse hallways and use pay phones so they won’t be overheard by staff.

In other words, Mueller and Allen, originally billed as proponents of “open government,” have slammed the door on public debate, disclosure and civility and ushered in an era of secrecy and paranoia in the Bonner County Courthouse. All this in the name of property tax relief. All this in less than two weeks.

Already, arbitrary actions by the dynamic duo are attracting lawsuits, which could cost Bonner County far more money than it’ll realize in tax savings. Last week, they were sued for allegedly violating the state’s Open Meeting Law. This week, A group of contractors plans to sue to recover $1.7 million in fees paid for building inspections that now won’t take place. And former building department employees are planning their own suit.

Who knows what lawsuits the future holds?

Mueller and Allen certainly are flirting with another lawsuit by fiddling with the voter-approved jail plans. Their private review could delay the scheduled summer startup of jail construction and drive up costs, too.

At the very least, Mueller and Allen should include Sheriff Roos in their discussions. He’s the expert on jail needs, not them. Of course, they might not like to hear what Roos has to say because he opposes any design changes. Said Roos: “The plan we have is what the people said they wanted and that is what the people should get.”

The people have spoken - what a concept.

Mueller and Allen claimed the people spoke when they were elected to office. But Mueller failed to win a majority in a three-way race, and Allen prevailed by only 145 votes. That’s hardly a mandate.

Most voters don’t like radicalism.

Rather, they prefer honesty, frankness and incremental change.

And, oh yes, open government.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria For the editorial board