On April 5, 2016, a man named Glen Morgan posted an article on the website www.wethegoverned.com, a site that “exists to support activists and citizens who are concerned that government is too big, intrusive, abusive, corrupt, and incompetent.” The website states that it believes that government needs to be substantially and significantly reformed in order to restore many of the founding principles and freedoms on which our nation was founded, and that openness, access to public records, and exposing the truth will be a critical component of such reform, even if the truth may be embarrassing for the politicians involved.

The April 5, 2016 article took aim at Douglas County, Washington, and particularly at the Douglas County Commissioners, who failed to file official capital asset reports on an annual basis for the last five years, which appears to be a gross misdemeanor under Washington law.

Mr. Morgan referenced my name in his April 5, 2016 article (or at least I believe he was referring to me, despite the mis-spelling of my name) when he mentioned that I am running against Commissioner Dale Snyder. Mr. Morgan suggested that his readers contact me to see if I understand the importance of inventory management and following the law. The article states that if you like my positions, I “would certainly be better than the incumbent.”

I feel compelled to make this statement in part because of the response that was provided to Mr. Morgan by Douglas County. The Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prepared a memorandum in response to Mr. Morgan’s inquiry that declined to prosecute the Douglas County Commissioners for the “alleged violation of RCW 36.32.210(3)”, stating “the complainant appears to have caused this matter to be brought to the attention of the Prosecuting Attorney based upon political motives during an election season. The complainant has published commentary regarding the matter within which the name of declared candidate Kyle Steinburg is referenced as an alternative candidate for the office of Douglas County Commissioner.” The Prosecuting Attorney’s letter concludes by stating “The political process is a more appropriate venue to achieve political goals.”

I want to make it clear that I have never met or spoken with Mr. Morgan, and in no way whatsoever did I solicit the inquiry made by Mr. Morgan or his open-government advocates. I only became aware of this matter when constituents reached out to me because my name was invoked. While I am an ardent advocate for open government, competent management, and accountability for failures, I deny any insinuation that I was responsible for this inquiry in any way.

While I was not involved in starting this matter, I am interested in the outcome, as I am a taxpaying citizen of Douglas County, and I care about how the County is accounting for its capital assets. This statement should clarify for the County Prosecutor that the inquiry was not mine, and does not appear to be political in nature, but rather arose from concerns over the quality of governance.

A quote from Mr. Morgan’s article sums the issue up nicely: “No matter how hard the incumbent Douglas County Commissioners try to prove they are incompetent rather than criminal, the taxpayers of Douglas County will benefit by forcing their elected officials to take inventory stewardship and management seriously for a change.” I commit to the voters of Douglas County that I will diligently account for and manage the assets under my management if I am elected commissioner. Thank you.