Public hits back on Hawkins deal

Lawyers began looking into the legality of Whitman County’s agreement with Hawkins Companies this week, while one of the county’s most prominent businessmen said he was “shocked” by the deal.

County commissioners voted 2 to 1 two weeks ago to add $5.9 million to a 2008 agreement that obliged the county to pay for $9.1 million worth of public infrastructure at the 714-000-square-foot shopping center proposed by Boise-based Hawkins Companies.

Pullman attorney Timothy Esser last Thursday submitted a public records request to commissioners for all communication between county officials and Hawkins...