4 County Officials Oppose Measure

Four elected officials from Kootenai County — Assessor Mike McDowell (pictured), Clerk Cliff Hayes, Treasurer Tom Malzahn and Coroner Debbie Wilkie — have sent Huckleberries a news release raising concerns about the proposal to change county government. All four hold offices that would be appointive if voters pass the November ballot measure. They write:

“This press release is intended to offer another perspective (and more specific details) about the “Optional Forms of County Government” question the County Commissioners have placed on the November 6 ballot.  We hope you find the question & answer format used in this release to be informative. Optional forms of county government is a simple-sounding concept that actually has many potentially negative consequences.  Therefore, several of us at Kootenai County are willing to meet with groups holding educational forums or debates leading up to the general election.” You can read their concerns here.

Question: My greatest concern is that 2 radicals could win commissioner seats and then appoint allies to important positions? What concerns you?