Letter: Okonski clear choice to break up status quo

Dear Editor:

Here's an interesting observation in the Lincoln County commissioner race. Mayor Tony Berget won enough votes countywide to be the Republican candidate but he lost in Libby. Eureka and Troy gave him votes based solely on name recognition but the people who know him best want him least.

The voters in Libby saw firsthand the wreckage of his policies when our $8 million windfall disappeared. Seventy percent went out in grants for personal political currency to projects we continue to support with tax dollars. Nearly a million was set aside to offset past fiscal irresponsibility in city government. It was squandered while city rates and fees are raised at every opportunity. How long would the county road fund last at that rate?

Mayor Berget's propensity for manipulating the electoral process through dishonest resignations and unethical political appointments blew up in the Republicans' faces. Commissioner Rita Windom has to miraculously recover her health and actually finish the term she swore to serve rather than let the Democrat commissioners appoint her candidate. This stunt damaged the Republicans' unity and credibility.

Tony's million-dollar personal gift from W.R. Grace has not worked out well for the city. The Export Plant ' once the bustling gemstone of our economic development efforts ' earning rent for the city coffers while incubating small businesses and creating jobs, now sits idle.

The city was recently issued a weed citation at this abandoned eyesore. EPA went to court to explain to the judge that they did such a lousy cleanup job on our property that they can't allow city maintenance crews to access the land for upkeep without jeopardizing public health. Mayor Berget's conflict of interest would only cause similar problems at the landfill, county parks and schools in the area.

Fortunately, this is not a 'lesser of two evils' choice. Jerry Okonski does not have the bureaucratic baggage his opponent packs. Jerry Okonski is the clear choice to break up the status quo that has embarrassed, discouraged and stifled this county for far too long.

D.C. Orr

Libby