COUNTY: Don't miss this meeting

The attempt of our County Commissioners to quietly and quickly pass an “Emergency Ordinance” in Kootenai County, and initially without even having a public hearing, is ridiculous, irresponsible and an insult to the citizens of our community.  It is nothing less than an offering of a bailout to some in the development community and shows little long range critical thinking skills.

Because certain developers don't have enough money to complete projects, and can't get anyone to loan them money — that is an “Emergency”? Maybe to the developer, but bad investments by individuals do not constitute an  “Emergency” to the community as a whole. And retroactively allowing poor development speculation to return that could destroy much of our natural beauty and resources is irresponsible by these decision makers.

As I have studied this statute allowing for Emergency Ordinances, there needs to be a showing of imminent fear of danger, catastrophic environmental damage, loss of life, etc.  — not just because some developers bit off more than they can chew. This is the same ordinance the citizens used three and a half years ago in requesting a moratorium on big development along the Highway 97 Corridor. At that time, the citizens had proven their lives and safe roads were at risk from excessive construction traffic, our waters were in danger of being increasingly polluted, and studies to further validate much of this were close to completion. We were flatly refused by this same BOCC at that time, and some developments with roads to nowhere, went on to destroy lands and negatively impact waters  we all share.

This kind of decision could further glut our already overloaded housing market. Kootenai County is not for sale, and certainly does not want to encourage development speculation when we already have a 7-year plus supply of homes on the market.  Allow for even more homes to  arise from the dead and property values will further deteriorate, hurting everyone in this County.

Citizens should come to the 10 a.m. meeting Thursday, May 27 at the BOCC chambers, and voice their concerns for this mis-use of an  emergency situation.

BEV TWILLMANN

Harrison