As you know I have been addressing the Depletion Fee Ordinance that was VOTED on and PASSED in 1996 by the majority of the voters in this county. UNFORTUNATELY for the voters in this county the county commissioners refuse to enforce this ordinance, an ordinance that would collect monies for the road department. In recent developments of the bridge failure in Minnesota, it is been brought to light that nearly all bridges in this country are in need of immediate repair; I would believe that this includes bridges in Columbia County. Fact: Columbia County has not been able to do necessary repairs to the county's infrastructure WHY? There is never enough money to keep up with even the smallest road repairs. The depletion fee ordinance would provide much needed monies for the road department to carry out the repairs so desperately needed through out the county. Depletion fees are collected from corporations who mine natural resources in Columbia County or natural resources brought into the county.
So why does the County Commissioners refuse to enforce an ordinance that could possibly keep a similar tragedy like the one that befell Minnesota from happening in Columbia County? Could it be the loss of life would be smaller? Or maybe the excuse, which is used by the commissioners, the voters did not understand the ballot measure? How about, we can pick and choose any part of an ordinance to enforce or not enforce, and we can do it because we are the county commissioner's. Disregarding the outcome of a legal vote on a ballot measure.
Even though this ordinance was written for, by the request of three sitting commissioners in 1996 with unanimous support and vote, to take it to the voters, which they did, and was ok"d by the voters.
After arguing my points, for years on this subject, I decided to take my case to the District Attorney, hoping for a positive remedy on the issue, a victory, you might say for the voters and working man and women of this county. Today I was disappointed with his decision, his opinion was, for example: the commissioners had to take money from those companies who fall under the jurisdiction of the depletion fee ordinance. To show why they were not enforcing the ordinance, before it could be considered illegal actions, I was hoping that the DA would stand up for the institution of the ballot.
The taxpayer pays the commissioners; it is their job to be the voice of the taxpayers, to carry out the voice of the taxpayers. After all they do swear an Oath of Office.

UNFORTUNATELY NOT SO in COLUMBIA COUNTY.

In Columbia County, TWO OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BERNHARD AND Hyde openly support the interests of CORPORATIONS Over their constituency.
Columbia County lacks a democracy; your vote only counts when these two county commissioners agree with the voters' decision.
I ask you why vote? Why not sit back and allow these commissioners to decide everything willy nilly. They know what's best for you, after all you, the voter, does not understand what your voting on, after all the two commissioners can better decide what you want, more so, than you. This is apparent, by comments made by Hyde and Bernhard and it is apparent by their heavy-handed decisions. Completely ignoring the wishes of the constituency of Columbia County, a constituency named "The Voters'" not the constituency of Corporate America.