Editor,

I am surprised and amazed that the Island County commissioners have not gone out and hired a private security company to police problem neighborhoods and a private construction company to maintain problem roads rather than fund the existing departments and offices that hold that responsibility.

Of course, with the police issue, they would be supplanting officers and taking responsibility from an official elected by the voters of Island County to represent them in that area.

So, how is this any different than what is taking place with the hiring of outside counsel to develop the growth management act for the county? The taxpayers of Island County elected Greg Banks to represent them, yet the commissioners and judges feel it is better to hire outside counsel to work up this important document that will impact the county and its citizens for years to come.

This document will be questioned and challenged many times during its life, and the prosecutor’s office will be called upon to defend it and amend it when necessary. The outside counsel will work for two years, turn over the completed project and be on their way with $120,000 of taxpayer dollars.

Wouldn’t it be smarter to give the $120,000 to the prosecutor so he could hire additional help and have them be responsible to him and his office to develop a plan for Island County that will stand the test of time?

Shame on you, commissioners and judges, for playing so loosely with $120,000 of taxpayer money and failing to use the highly competent and skilled asset you have at your disposal, and never forget, you are also elected officials.

Robert E. Clark

Oak Harbor