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Residents urge county to protect home‑rule authority over elections and defend inclusion policies during public comment
Summary
Speakers at the July 15 meeting urged the Washington County commissioners to assert home‑rule authority over elections and criticized moves to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies; commissioners responded with a clarification about the county’s appointed (not elected) clerk.
Several residents used the public comment period at the July 15 Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting to raise election‑administration concerns and to speak about inclusion.
Jackie Poppin, identified herself as a Washington County resident and urged the commission to exercise its home‑rule authority over elections. "Washington County does not have an elected county clerk. Our elections are run by an election manager who is appointed by you," Poppin said. She said the county charter provides the board authority and urged the commissioners to "bring control of our elections back to our county and to ensure elections are audited, transparent, and lawful."
Bob Terry, who followed Poppin, said he and others have spent four years reviewing county and state records and told the board they had compiled documents suggesting problems with local elections. "Everything we've showed you is dated. It's taken from your records and state records. Every bit of it is true," Terry said, and urged the board to work with citizens on election management.
Sandra Nelson spoke separately about inclusion and federal policy. She referenced prior public comment opposing a federal executive order that withholds federal dollars from jurisdictions that advance DEI programs, and she read a religious passage for comfort: "When we tremble under the weight of loss and uncertainty, the peace that Christ offers remains a steady refuge for all who turn to him," and later read John 14:27.
Chair Harrington responded during the public comment segment by clarifying for the record that Washington County does have a county clerk who "satisfies all of the state provisions" but that the position is appointed, not elected. No board action followed the comments; the speakers used the allotted public‑comment time to express concerns and requests.
Other public commenters included Katie Brembelow, who offered remarks on civic inclusion and thanked the board for public process; and a caller list that included Dale Feek and Catherine Vermelo, though Feek was not present and Vermelo did not speak.
The board did not take action on the comments during the meeting.
