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Public commenters press county for information on officer-involved shooting, stewardship agreement progress, and volunteer workers' comp access
Summary
During public comment, Jeff Costcella pressed the county for a public announcement about an officer-involved shooting; Tony Wickham asked why the master stewardship agreement shows little visible progress and warned of wildfire risk; Trisha asked that volunteers be allowed under county workers' comp so they can perform recreation improvements.
Public comment covered three separate community concerns: the lack of a public announcement about an officer‑involved shooting, progress on a master stewardship agreement to reduce wildfire fuel, and barriers preventing volunteers from performing recreation work under the county workers’ compensation program.
Jeff Costcella, who identified himself as running for county commissioner, asked why there had been no public announcement about an officer‑involved shooting that occurred over four weeks earlier, saying constituents repeatedly asked, “What’s going on?” County representatives and other speakers said investigations can be lengthy; the board directed the inquiry to the sheriff’s office and noted a deputy (Cody) is on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
Tony Wickham, who said he lives in the Troy district, asked for a visible plan under the master stewardship agreement roughly 18 months into a 10‑year timeline. He said the agreement’s purpose is to address the fuel‑interface issue and public safety and warned the county was “sitting on a powder keg” given fire‑season risks. Commissioners suggested taking the matter to Port Authority meetings and pledged to improve transparency.
Trisha, representing the Libby Outdoor Recreation Association, reported volunteers are lined up to maintain recreation facilities but told the board they have been blocked from doing work because the county will not include them under the county workers’ compensation program; she asked the commissioners to help remove that restraint so volunteers can contribute to local facilities.
