Boiler Bay Beacon
NEWPORT — Rocked by the unexpected death of Chair Claire Hall, two remaining Lincoln County commissioners momentarily set aside their stark differences last week to venerate a fallen colleague with effusive recollections.
But a moment of silence failed to diminish the power vacuum left by Hall, who died Jan. 4 — five days before a recall election to decide her fate. With commissioners Casey Miller and Walter Chuck girding for a possible primary face-off themselves, the Jan. 7 regular meeting unfolded in uneasy contrast with the civic-minded words spoken in Hall’s honor.
Even for citizens accustomed to surprises from this board, Wednesday’s proceedings were unusual from the start. Attendees, among them Miller himself, the press, activists, a former commissioner and two citizens holding registered letters instructing them to attend the public hearing in person, found the county offices locked, curtains drawn and a sign designating the meeting “Virtual Only.” Eventually, the hearing proceeded after Miller insisted the room be opened so members of the public could listen via his laptop, an improvised arrangement that underscored the confusion of the morning.
Leadership questions added to the tension. Miller introduced a motion proposing the two-man board operate temporarily without a permanent Chair, instead “functioning collaboratively.” Chuck turned to County Counsel Kristin Yuille, who doused the suggestion as “historically inconsistent.” After some back and forth, the leery commissioners agreed to alternate the gavel for now, with Chuck presiding at the first meeting of the month, Miller the second.
The wary duo also moved to fill Hall’s three-year vacancy, directing staff to prepare an outline for an appointment process — even as County Clerk Amy Southwell announced the seat would be on the May primary ballot, suggesting any fill-in could be short-lived.
Despite the county encouraging residents to sign up for public comment, Commissioner Chuck abruptly ended the meeting to attend another engagement. Those who had intended to speak were told to submit written comments instead.
Even as larger issues loom, the public struggled to find a place in the room, the meeting struggled to find its footing, and voices were left unheard. With another “virtual” meeting slated for Jan. 14 at 10 a.m., Lincoln County government appears more remote than ever.
