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 audience.

Just as suddenly, outraged citizens created OVIC to fight the county.

The group received thousands of dollars in donations to cover legal fees. They brought suit against the county with some very substantial charges.

What they saw as improper spending of public money on a private project and illegal activity drove them on. So did the personal insults they felt they suffered from the hands of Partch for treating them so cavalierly.

Earlier this year, the county’s contract with Hawkins for the additional money expired. As a consequence, the OVIC suit against the county has been dismissed, and OVIC is folding its tent.

The original debate was a legitimate policy issue disagreement, but it went much deeper than that.

As a result, OVIC and its supporters proved two things: Citizens need to be treated with respect and elected officials need to know for whom they are working.

These messages will not be soon forgotten in Whitman County.

And, that, in the long run, may be OVIC’s legacy—perhaps more valuable than even the $5.9 million.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher