To the Editor:

The recall of Boyd Britton is a bad decision, based on personal interpretation of events rather than an impartial view.

First, the cost of having an investigation done on the cause and handling of the Canyon Creek fire would have cost the county a great deal of money. The time and cost to investigate the fire to have it come up with the same result that you have now is too expensive. (Example: The Cattlemen’s Association and that lawsuit on the Murderer’s Creek allotment. How much money did that cost, and how long did it take?) I’m not sure what benefit to the county a second investigation would have produced.

Rebuilding was the priority, and Mr. Britton was assisting in every way possible to help residents. I believe the vote by the three commissioners was correct.

The county ordinance cited in the petition is illegal and unenforceable (per OGC input). Mr. Britton kept conversations open between the County Court and the Forest Service. He was willing to sit down with the forest supervisor to discuss issues and then take those issues to the court for a decision. There was no reason for him not to participate in the discussions and/or decisions of road closures or other FS and county issues. (Recuse applies to judges, prosecutors or jurors.)

The amount of work Boyd does for the Forest Service and the amount of money he receives for it is a drop in the bucket of his total income.

We have confidence in Boyd to do the right thing at the right time. Recalling Mr. Britton is a bad idea.

We are going to vote “no” on the recall. We encourage you to do the same.

Tom and Sandra Sutton

John Day