Hindsight is 20/20, Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson said in a Sound Off in the Oct. 25 Whidbey News-Times.

In response, we offer another cliché she might consider espousing: The buck stops here!

Her guest commentary appeared in the same edition as a front-page article about the scathing findings by the state Auditor’s Office. The same article reported that former transit executive director Martha Rose would walk away with a $106,000 payout.

In their report, state auditors attributed many of the agency’s fiscal problems to the failings of its five-member board of directors, which includes Price Johnson.

During Rose’s tenure, the board failed to oversee the finances and spending of the public agency, the auditors concluded.

In her guest commentary, Price Johnson offered a different spin on matters.

“The audit results show that the agency grew over time, yet the internal controls and board policies did not keep up,” she said.

That remark doesn’t hold water or do much to alleviate taxpayer anger and disgust over the transit mess.

The purpose of any board of directors for a public agency is very clear — they are entrusted to watch the financials, make sure the revenue is coming in, approve payments and ensure there are checks and balances to protect the interests of taxpayers.

Instead, Rose was allowed to build what amounts to an empire, complete with custom furnishings, workout facilities, gazebos and, essentially, “company cars.”

Rather than acknowledge that the new IT facility was overbuilt, Price Johnson offers an excuse on Rose’s behalf.

“Unfortunately, the big construction project took the director’s focus away from monitoring daily finances.”

Price Johnson’s disconnect from the gravity of the situation is troubling. The lack of accountability in her commentary is glaring and the omission of a public apology disappointing.

The rest of the board doesn’t seem to quite get it either.

Taxpayers are justified in their anger that IT was driven into a hole. It all happened under the watch of five people selected to direct the director.

It’s not surprising that people are calling for the resignations of IT board directors. Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley has made booting the IT board his cause.

When government officials no longer put themselves in the shoes of the taxpayer, their employer, it’s time to evaluate whether they’re more politician than public servant, and which of those the voters would rather have as their representative. Without the kind of accountability that the people of Island County demand and deserve, it’s gotten to the point any actions taken by the IT board of directors will be viewed with skepticism and suspicion.

How does one continue to serve under such a cloud, we have to wonder.