Extension decision not discussed, Roose says

Letter to the Editor,

I would like to express my appreciation to the many Lincoln County residents from Libby, Troy and Eureka who took the time to attend the Commissioner meeting last Wednesday in Libby when the decision in regards to the County Extension Agent position was being discussed.

I know you are all very busy, but still cared enough about this important decision to travel many miles to express your support and to try to help the Commissioners understand the overall benefit the extension office is to Lincoln County residents.

It was most evident through the comments made at the meeting that for many years the extension office has provided a valuable service to our youth through 4-H, as well as worked with our agriculture residents, the schools through education programs, with our local businesses, chamber of commerce and economic development entities as well as provided facilitation for various community groups and meeting.

The overall economic benefit to Lincoln County was well-expressed by all of you in attendance as well as through the many e-mails to all three commissioners. I have always believed in the value of the extension agent position and adamantly believe that this should remain a full-time position.

However, as you well know the other two commissioners voted to make the position half-time, even though the extension budget was approved in the 2012-2013 budget for a full-time agent and will be on your tax notices coming out in November.

I disagree that it is a budget issue. It is about the value of the services provided with the dollars available and how the Commissioners decide to provide that service to our constituents. The extension office is well worth the dollars that were budgeted. The payback to Lincoln County in dollars and services is tremendous.

The reason I am writing this letter is that I feel it is important for me to make clear that it was evident to me as well as to all you present, that a discussion and decision to make the extension position half-time was made before the meeting started.

I was never included in that discussion or decision and was as shocked as you were when it was introduced. I feel that my integrity may be in question if you believe that I was a part of that discussion and decision and didn’t share that information before the meeting.

I can assure you that had I known it was even being discussed, I would have wanted our constituents to know about it ahead of time. I believed we were discussing a full-time position.

I have a job to do and will continue to serve you in working with my fellow Commissioners to the best of my ability until Dec. 31.

— Marianne Roose

District 3

County Commissioner