Chronline Comments

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• Story: Lawsuits Target Lewis County Law Library Records

User Name: Percy Blakeny

What good can be said about an individual who chose to denigrate an individual who brought the violations of law into the light, rather than on the appointed and trusted by public servants whose actions were found to be clear violations of law? Every day they are in business, Lewis County courts and executive agencies pursue fines and penalties from individuals who violate the law, either by acting or failing to act. It is noteworthy that the county has, seemingly, unlimited financial and other resources at its disposal to compel compliance with the law, and can and does pursue fines and penalties to insure that compliance. The average citizen, on the other hand, has only his or her limited resources. In spite of the foregoing, we here have people complaining a private individual is compensated for an expenditure of time and resources compelling public agents’ compliance with the law. When considering the complaints against Brian Cortland, one would do well to think upon the following: (1) Rather than make attempt to correct their pattern of activity counter to law, Lewis County officials continued those patterns and, in some instances, sought to defend them. (2) County officials aware of the acts counter to law and for which the court issued a judgment, though in a position to act to insurance compliance with the law failed to. (3) Per the laws referenced in RCW 36.16.040: “Every person elected to county office shall before he enters upon the duties of his office take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that he will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office to the best of his ability. ...” (4) “Government accountability means that public officials — elected and unelected — have an obligation to explain their decisions and actions to the citizens. Government accountability is achieved through the use of a variety of mechanisms — political, legal and administrative — designed to prevent corruption and ensure that public officials remain answerable and accessible to the people they serve. In the absence of such mechanisms, corruption may thrive.” — U.S. Department of State (5) The courts have ruled public officials have a higher duty of compliance with the law than do the people they serve. To insure Lewis County’s representative government complies with the law, they have the benefit of: access to the county’s prosecutor for advice; elected officials can seek opinions from the Washington state attorney general; and, they have copies of the laws and codes available to them on CD and hard copy.

• Story: Massive Poaching Case Headed to Prosecutor’s Office

User Name: WJenks

Ooh, let me guess. A $50 fine and six months suspended. The state can’t risk upsetting their customers. They need them back to buy a license next year! Poaching is rampant. Less than 5 percent are caught, and wardens estimate that for every one killed legally, at least one more is poached. But this is what a culture of killing animals for fun and profit results in. How could anyone possibly expect anything different?



• Jim Walsh Guest Commentary: Radical Minority Cynically Hijacked Legislative Process

User Name: hiccup1234

Rep. Jim Walsh plays politics with the capital budget to benefit land developers over current water rights holders, then he loses and proceeds to name call, blaming the loss on others. Not a good way to represent the Republican Party as vice chairman. Very very embarassing!

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Chronicle Facebook follower responds to post of “Elk Hoof Disease: Lots of Data, Few Answers, For Now:”

John Smith: I hope they look into the possibility of devegetation chemicals and fertilizers.