O'Neill reflects on stint as commissioner

The end of 2012 also means the end of Pat O’Neill’s tenure as Whitman County commissioner from District 2.

A retired United Airlines mechanic, Pat O’Neill served one term.

O’Neill, 65, Johnson, was one of the rarest breeds of Whitman County politicians - a Democrat.

“I got elected as a Democrat in Whitman County,” he said. “If I do nothing else in my life, that’s a pretty amazing achievement in and of itself.”

Ewartsville farmer Dean Kinzer topped O’Neill in November’s election to win the seat.

O’Neill said he can look back at his term in office without regret, knowing full certain he worked h...