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Public commenters press for transparency on shooting investigation, stewardship plan and volunteer coverage
Summary
Public commenters at the April 1 meeting urged the county to prompt the sheriff's office to provide an update on an officer-involved shooting, questioned progress on a master stewardship agreement to reduce wildfire risk, and asked the county to allow volunteers to work on recreation projects under county workers' compensation coverage.
Several residents used the public-comment period at the April 1 Lincoln County commissioners meeting to press for more transparency and action on separate issues.
Jeff Costcella, a candidate for county commissioner, said many constituents were asking "why there's been no public announcement of this officer involved shooting" and asked for information. Commissioners said the sheriff's office is handling the investigation, that the involved deputy is on administrative leave, and directed inquiries to the sheriff's office for an official statement.
Tony Wickham of the Troy district said the master stewardship agreement — about a year and a half into a projected 10-year timeline — has produced no visible activity and that the lack of progress is a public-safety concern because it was intended to reduce the fuels interface and wildfire risk. Wickham urged clearer plans and more visible outcomes; commissioners suggested raising the issue with the Port Authority board and noted the Port Authority holds meetings and may be the appropriate forum.
A representative identifying herself as Trisha for the Libby Outdoor Recreation Association said volunteers are lined up to improve recreation facilities but have been blocked because the county will not include them under the county workers' compensation program. She asked the board to help the association "break that restraint" so volunteers can move forward.
Commissioners largely responded by directing questions to the sheriff's office in the shooting matter, encouraging contact with the Port Authority for stewardship issues, and offering to help the recreation association explore solutions for volunteer coverage. The public-comment exchanges did not produce formal county actions at the meeting.
