Open letter to the Washington County Commissioners

Dear Commissioners,

 I respectfully hope that you will have used your  Oct. 14, agenda item titled “Planning and Zoning Commission Membership Discussion” to accomplish two things. 

 First, a vote to cancel/drop/rescind (or whatever the correct term is) the proposed action to revise county ordinance 1-7-2 is the right answer to a public that has spoken loud and clear – we don’t want the change you commissioners have proposed, and it is not in the best interest of the county. Second, your vote to immediately reinstate all of the dismissed county planning and zoning commission members is only right. 

 We need our P&Z commission back in place to allow our normal planning and zoning business to be conducted. Any vacancies that result following the reinstatement can be filled in March as described in the county ordinance and state law, with the nominations made by the BOCC chairman, and confirmed by a 2/3 majority vote. 

 The county does not need you to continue to delay and play games with these P&Z Commission matters. Our tax dollars are not being well spent with this recent BOCC behavior. We need our BOCC to get back to the business that you were elected to conduct, and quit creating chaos and trying to do the job of a P&Z commission. The BOCC has now wasted about six months with the games on ordinances and planning and zoning. The ability to end this disruption is in your hands. Please don’t miss this opportunity to do the right thing.

 Many  of us citizens of the county will help and support you. But you must work within the bounds of the law, our county ordinances, and the wishes of the hardworking citizens of Washington County. We need you to allow the processes to work, make thoughtful decisions, and not be working outside of the laws and rules. We also need your assurance that there are no deals being made outside of the public forum. Be transparent.

 I sincerely want to help you – just let me know how. Most of the citizens that care about the county want to see the litigation end, including the ridiculous suits that are being initiated by our own prosecuting attorney. However, if the BOCC does not start following the law and does not start making wise decisions, I will be surprised if the county isn’t faced with additional litigation. None of us citizens want to see that happen.

 Thank you for your consideration.

Frank Schwartz

Cambridge, Idaho