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Residents sharply criticize commissioners’ decision to move jail oversight, urge transparency
Summary
Multiple Pacific County residents used the public-comment period to criticize the commission’s recent actions removing the jail from the sheriff’s office, raising concerns about process, transparency, public trust and potential costs.
Several residents used the Jan. 14 public-comment period to criticize the Board of Commissioners for the Dec. 26 and Nov. 22 decisions related to transferring jail oversight away from the sheriff’s office. Speakers urged the board to be more transparent about process and costs and argued the actions had damaged public trust.
Why it matters: Public opposition focused on process and accountability for recent administrative changes affecting the sheriff’s office and jail operations; the comments may shape future oversight and public-record inquiries.
Notable public comments included: Robert Cody (Ocean Park) who criticized the board’s creation of a separate Department of Corrections and questioned hiring and spending choices tied to the change, saying the county had failed to address earlier staffing and jail-safety requests. Ed Vesser (Ocean Park) told commissioners that the November election outcome and subsequent public demonstrations demonstrated public support for Sheriff Jared Garcia and called the board’s decision-making and timing “deceptive” and “shameful.” Bonnie Cosby (Ocean Park) said she and other local residents sent a letter asking the commission to rescind the decision until proper statutory processes could be followed and said the public still lacked information on the cost of the transfer. Diane Gruber (Oysterville) said the board had ignored large public turnout opposing the action and warned the decisions amounted to a repudiation of voter preferences.
Speakers repeatedly requested clearer public notice, earlier posting of analysis (a referenced memo/blackinger report), and full cost estimates for the facility and reorganization; the board and administrator did not announce additional cost figures during the meeting. Meeting staff reminded speakers that public comment time is three minutes and that written submissions were permitted.
Ending: The board recessed to executive session shortly after public comment; when reconvened the board stated no decisions from executive session would be announced and deferred one agenda item to a future meeting. Public commenters said they expected additional follow-up and transparency.
