The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

It was the Three Devils Road closure that brought to light the glaring conflicts of interest within our county government. Through public records, we learned that previous road closures/vacations were being approved in spite of public testimony to their usefulness. When decisions like this affect your way of life, it is time to pay attention.

Two-term Commissioner Jim DeTro voted to go with the Hearings Examiners’ decision not to vacate Three Devils, but that was after the deal was sealed – two votes to vacate already. He, then, admonished us for being arrogant, rude, and despicable.

In August 2013, Jon Wyss, government analyst for the Gebbers/Gamble Corporations, was hired as a consultant to county government to research the county’s finances in the County Auditor and Department of Public Works. DeTro was chairman of the board. In September 2013, at the hearing to vacate Hooker Creek Road, Wyss participated as County Consultant and representative of the petitioners (Gebbers/Gamble). DeTro voted in favor of vacating Hooker Creek Road.

Other things that happened during DeTro’s tenure: placing golf courses in the Open Space Tax Classification (reserved for agriculture), giving priority to paving the road to the Gamble Sands Golf Course over other roads already planned for, and contracting out of union negotiations for $90,000.

Commissioners wield a lot of power, with the courts reluctant to review their decisions. Judge Hotchkiss told us that our remedy is at the ballot box.

I say we can do better. Independent candidate Salley Bull, of Oroville, is capable and ready to serve. If you haven’t met her yet, please make a point of it. Go to her website http://www.vote4sal.com and/or give her a call. It is time for a change.

Ruth Hall

Malott