Gordon Forgey: In-house defense is right decision

Last week, Judge David Frazier ruled that the county commissioners could not hire an outside lawyer at county expense for their defense in the lawsuit by the Organization to Void Illegal Conduct.

Commissioners Pat O’Neill and Greg Partch are facing charges by OVIC for illegal meetings, illegal use of public funds and entering into an illegal contract. All these charges stem from the deal the commissioners struck with Hawkins Company over a new shopping center at the state line near Moscow.

They obviously need a lawyer, but they don’t want County Prosecutor Denis Tracy.

The commissioners don’t...