Kudos to Bonner Commissioner Asia Williams

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, Commissioner Williams single-handedly organized a planning workshop that was truly for the people. The room was arranged for human interaction, tables clad with comp plan packets, pens, highlighters, and comment sheets. A presentation was up and designed to guide the process. While I think most were in shock, not accustomed to this sort of attention from a county commissioner, everyone soon relaxed and shared their ideas and expertise, eyes glancing every so often to the table of food and drink she provided, as if seeing a mirage.

From the perspective of a land use planning nerd, this was an enchanting scene, but it did not come without challenges. Commissioner Williams was unable to attend most of the workshop due to a long and challenging business meeting that ran very late, leading citizens to step in to help. When Williams eventually joined the workshop, she pivoted effortlessly from the chaos upstairs and gave us her undivided and thoughtful attention.

If you too would like to participate in the Comprehensive Plan update, please visit the Bonner County Planning website and click on Comprehensive Plan. At this point in time, you can comment or provide expertise on the Hazardous and Special Area chapters by writing to the Planning Department before the Feb. 9 public workshop with BOCC. Or if that is too soon, you can also submit it a week ahead of the final hearing on Feb. 22 at 1:30 p.m.

MOLLY McCAHON

Sandpoint