Editorial: Well poisoner casts self, county in poorest light

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, January 8, 2008

The poisoning of a private well on Little Canyon Mountain last month was an appalling act, and it has ramifications on many levels.

That someone would sneak onto private property and pour a toxic substance into a private well is bad enough. That they would put innocent people, even children, at risk is horrific. Adding to the horror of the scenario is the implication that the well attack could be the latest manifestation of an ongoing battle over OHV use and abuse on roads and public land in the area.

The owner of the well, Dr. Joseph Bachtold, is a well respected physician in our community, and he’s also had the guts to speak up about the nuisance activity and criminal behavior on the Little Canyon hillside. That may have put him and his family in the crosshairs, and that’s a shameful situation for the whole county.

Authorities are still investigating that link, and a reward has been offered to encourage people to come forward with information that would help solve the case. Hopefully, that will help bring an arrest and a conviction.

The community sorely needs closure in this case. For make no mistake, while the Bachtold family was the primary target, the entire community also will become a victim of this thoughtless and cowardly act.

Among the ripple effects: the loss of a doctor who, quite understandably, is fed up with the threats to his safety and that of his family and now plans to move away. This comes at a time when Grant County has serious challenges in attracting and retaining qualified medical professionals.

The well poisoning also casts a negative light on our community at a time when we are trying to invite visitors and newcomers to come to Grant County. While we roll out the welcome mat, this foolish person is sending out a message that Grant County is a place where people poison their neighbors if they dare to disagree with them.

It’s been suggested that OHV enthusiasts who know anything about this crime might – out of a misguided sense of brotherhood – be reluctant to talk to authorities. We hope that’s not the case. If it is, they need to think again. This person is not a good standard-bearer for their cause; he is tarring them and the rest of the community with the same brush of lawlessness.

The good people of Grant County deserve better. Anyone who knows something about this crime needs to report it immediately.

– SC