GOVERNMENT: Speak out on forms

The Optional Forms of Government Panel meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the DMV Building in Coeur d’Alene, which is open to the public.

Bill Brooks and Chris Fillios support increasing County Commissioners from three currently to five. They want to change the County Sheriff/Coroner/Clerk from elected to appointed.

This panel will make its recommendation to the County Commissioners in January 2022.

The Sheriff in King County, Wash., went from elected to appointed and most of you are aware of the riots in Seattle and law enforcement standing down allowing looting and burning to occur. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in any county and the last thing we need is to allow the County Sheriff to become politicized and under the control of County Commissioners or County Administrators.

Chiefs of Police are appointed and answer solely to City Mayors which can lead to abusive or negligent enforcement as we observed in the Seattle and Portland riots.

Be aware that the County Coroner can arrest the Sheriff, so that places the Sheriff under control of the Commissioners.

Please attend the meetings and let them know how you feel about these proposed changes.

JERRY G. WEAVER

Coeur d’Alene