Partch responds to 'Psycho Greg' signs

Whitman County Commissioner Greg Partch is the subject of a pair of political signs that have drawn the attention of county residents.

The signs are created by a long-time adversary and both refer to him as "Psycho Greg."

"I kind of like it. It reminds me that not everybody loves the decisions I make," said Partch.

Bill Divine of Garfield created the signs. Divine said he wants Partch to be voted out of office this fall.

A stationary sign which has been posted alongside the Dry Creek Road near the Cronk Road intersection for the last couple months reads "No More Lying Psycho Greg Partch."

Divine has drawn more infamy around Whitman County recently for his rolling criticism of the three-term commissioner.

“I figured I’d just put this stuff out there to let people know who he is,” said Divine.

Standing in the back of Divine’s 4x4 Nissan pickup is a four-foot tall sign that derides Partch for keeping a grant from Wal-Mart that Divine’s sign contends should have gone to the town of Garfield.

Divine’s rolling protest statement has generated buzz around much of Whitman County as more and more residents have seen his pickup and sign parked in prominent places.

“Wal-Mart gave me the award,” said Partch. “And I did use it to help fund projects around town.”

Partch received a Hometown Leadership Award from Wal-Mart in October of 1996 for his work on the town council. A plaque in his office marks the award, and press clippings from the time reported Partch received the award.

The award included a $5,000 grant.

A large portion of the fund was used to bring a replica of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall to Guy Wicks Field in Moscow. Partch said he originally tried to have the wall brought to Garfield, but it was displayed in Moscow instead.

Remaining funds were used to erect a large flag pole in downtown Garfield, plant evergreen trees at the town’s north entrance and buy fireworks at the town’s celebration for 2000.

Divine, 60, though, said Partch usurped the funds to use at his will, instead of going through the town council.

Divine said he and Partch have had an adversarial relationship for decades. Divine added much of his “Psycho Greg” campaign is in reaction to Partch’s 2010 decision to fire his sister, Bev, who had been the county’s long-term finance director.

Partch reportedly based his decision on firing Bev Divine on years of incomplete and erroneous financial statements and because her department had not been able to put into use the costly New World accounting software more than five years after it was purchased at her recommendation.

The decision to dismiss Bev Divine, Partch said last week, had nothing to do with his long-time relationship with Bill.

“It’s just Bill being Bill,” said Partch. “To tell you the truth, I really don’t even think about it.”

Partch’s current term ends at the end of the year, and he has yet to announce whether he will run for a fourth stint as commissioner. If he does, he suggests the “Psycho Greg” moniker might have a place in his campaign.

“You’ve got to be crazy to have this job,” Partch said with a wink.