In the beginning, there was an interest in adjusting Gilliam County policy to meet Gilliam County needs, now, and into the future. People are elected, and think they see a need for change. This sounds simple to me. But then I am a farmer, I am used to changing. Every five or six years, I am given a new farm bill I need to factor. I used to mold board plow, now I direct seed. I used to steer my tractor, now I use a computer. You adjust to the needs of tomorrow or tomorrow leaves you in the dust. Change allows you to exceed the capacity of previous decisions and policy.
In the middle, we paraded into a bog, jointly and collectively. Why are we in this bog? To a certain extent, it appears the County Court just flatly mismanaged the process. They made some mistakes. They misread or misinterpreted. Whatever. Who really cares at this point.
In the end, we should decide to wrap this up and move on to other needs.
What are the policies under consideration:
• How many probates are handled over a calendar year period by the County Court? Ten or twelve? Do you really think some of those aren’t already shipped off to the Circuit Court?
• Will we have better county administration under a county manager than a Judge?
• Should we move from a three-member court to a five-member court?
• There are likely a couple of others.
These are not complicated policies to discuss or reach decisions on.
Lets put this to bed and move on.
• From this point forward, it is on those who led us into this bog, to lead us out of this bog. It is on you. Let me be clear, I am speaking to both sides.
• The County Court should acknowledge the process could have been handled in a differing manner and apologize.
• The County Court should ask the voters of each of the original five precincts to appoint one individual to sit on a committee tasked with evaluation of these proposals.
• This committee should bring conclusions back to the Court preparatory to discussion and a vote by all voters of the County.
• Those leading efforts toward recall pointed out flaws in the process, we acknowledge that point. They should drop the recall efforts avoiding the possible need for a new interim Judge to be appointed, setting County administration back while this process is being handled.
My thanks to all for their efforts, whether in agreement or disagreement.
— Walter Powell, Condon
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