What Are Our Commissioners Afraid Of?

For years, Yamhill County resident and professional engineer and surveyor Leonard Rydell has been trying to engage the County Board of Commissioners (BOC) in a discussion of engineering and health and safety issues at Riverbend Landfill.

For years, the BOC has put his requests off, citing various hearings or litigation over landfill expansion.

But Leonard is not a party to any lawsuit.  He is not talking about the merits of expansion (although expanding the dump could stress already under-designed elements of the existing garbage dump).  Leonard's concerns exist whether Riverbend Landfill expands or not.

In the latest go-round, Leonard asked Commissioner Mary Starrett for a half hour meeting so he could show her a slide presentation he's put together addressing his concerns about earthquake vulnerability, floodplain issues, and potential river course change of the South Yamhill River adjacent to the landfill.

Some of these concerns relate to the way the dump has been constructed; others, solely to its location.  None relate to whether or not the currently proposed expansion meets any criteria at issue in the lawsuit filed by the Stop the Dump Coalition and others.

Commissioner Starrett has declined to meet with Leonard, however, on the advice of County Counsel.  So what is County Counsel afraid of?

This refusal appears to be part of a trend that should alarm all Yamhill County residents, whether they are for expansion, against it, or don't give a hoot.  Our elected officials are supposed to conduct their business in public.  One reason for this rule is to let us, the general public, know the reasons for the decisions they make.  If we like their reasoning, we re-elect them.  If we don't, out they go.

This Commission finds solace in silence, however.  In approving the most recent expansion request, Commissioners declined to state any reasons.  Commissioner Allan Springer even changed his vote, from no to yes, without any explanation at all!  And, while the findings they adopted allude to "evidence in the record" to support their yes votes, no specifics were cited as persuasive.

So why did the BOC approve expansion?  Who knows?

Why refuse to meet with a County resident and voter?  Who knows?

Why should we care?  Because it's our county.

Reach Commissioner Mary Starrett at:  starrettm@co.yamhill.or.us
Reach County Counsel Christian Boenisch at:  boenischc@co.yamhill.or.us