Gordon Forgey

The Organization to Void Illegal Conduct is disbanding.

It was created in 2012 in response to the county’s contract to increase its financial support for the Hawkins Co. shopping mall at the Idaho border.

Already contracted for $9.1 million for infrastructure at the center, the county proposed increasing its commitment by another $5.9 million. It was money the county did not have.

Concerned residents of the area attended what was billed as an open forum to express their disagreement with the proposed deal. Suddenly, former Commissioner Greg Partch announced he would not take testimony from the...