Washington County officialsadvertise for new office space
WASHINGTON – The Washington County commissioners addressed the plight of District Justice William Pelkey, whose California office was condemned earlier this week. The commissioners voted to advertise for new office space for Pelkey. He is currently conducting business out of the Charleroi office of District Justice Larry Hopkins.
“We’re doing everything in our power to correct it, as soon as possible,” said John Bevec, chairman of the county commissioners.
Pelkey had been temporarily working out of the California municipal building, but moved to Charleroi for access to the state computer system. The court administrator’s office has said the state generally requires six weeks to move a computer system and there will be additional delays once a new site is found because of the requirement to renovate a new rental site to meet the needs of the office.
“I’m sure that the state will work with us, as much as possible,” Bevec said.
California zoning officer Bruce Large condemned the Wood Street office this week.
“It was an emergency condemnation of the building because it wasn’t safe. The roof was leaking and the water was running down through the walls into the electrical system. It could have caused a fire,” Large said.
According to Large, the property owner now has 30 days to fix the building.
“If he doesn’t appeal or respond within 30 days, this office will take further action,” Large said.
In other matters, the temporary county veterans’ affairs officer, Steve Dugas, reminded area schools, associations and individuals that he will be accepting Valentines for veterans through Feb. 12 at his office in Courthouse Square. Dugas said he will be taking the Valentines to the Veterans Administration Hospital on Feb. 14, to be distributed to the patients along with American flags.
The commissioners approved the appointment of Dennis Dutton to the Washington County Transportation Authority. The appointment was unanimous.
The commissioners also extended the contract with Lou Waller Sr., Olga Woodward and Kenneth Laird as members of the tax-assessment appeals board. Commissioner Bracken Burns voted against the appointments.
“There are by design three representatives, one to represent each commissioner on the appeals board. It is a matter of record that for the past three years that Commissioner Bevec has had two representatives, Commissioner (Diana) Irey has had one and I haven’t had any. I’d like to hear from my colleagues how they think this is fair to the taxpayers I represent,” Burns said.
Neither Bevec nor Irey commented during the public meeting.
“That’s been a three-year argument,” Bevec said later. “The person he put forward, I could not support. We disagree on probably less than one percent of the votes that are out there, but every time we disagree, there is a big show.”
Irey said Burns never provided any alternative appointees.
“Bracken seems to question these things only during a public meeting. He’s never talked to me about it or sent a letter, proposing another person. Had he presented a different name than was submitted, I would have considered it,” Irey said.
Irey noted that the members of the appeals board work for the chief assessor, not the county commissioners, and rarely, if ever, have contact with the commissioners.