When it came to my attention Wednesday that the Chairman of the Capital Budget Committee had proposed an amendment to the Supplemental Capital Budget directing the state parks and recreation commission to transfer the Lake Osoyoos Veteran Memorial State Park to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, it disturbed me that a representative from the 44th Legislative District, Everett specifically, was attempting to circumvent a local process that is striving to determine the best ownership for the park.

I began looking into the budget to find the information so I could correctly site the material in a letter expressing my concern. What I found next is what disturbs me the most. The document that I have showing the specific language according to a staffer for the budget committee is “an internal document.” That’s correct, an internal document. At best, it leaves the impression at worst it’s actual fact, that this is an amendment that is supposed to be slipped in quietly during the vote on the House Floor…I would call that a backdoor deal.

I believe the local discussion, in cooperation with State Parks, is far more likely to arrive at an appropriate resolution to the issue of the park’s ownership, not an intervention by a Representative from Everett.

This is not a simple discussion and the decision when made should be based on a careful analysis of under whose ownership the state park will provide the greatest public benefit. The legislature does not have benefit of the information to be reviewed nor is there any hope that any discussion before the legislature will be of the depth appropriate to the issue. Neither the City of Oroville nor the Colville Confederated Tribes should lose their place at the table in this discussion. It appears this amendment removes the City of Oroville from consideration and any hope a fair chance at the park.

My belief is the people of this state have the right to have their business done in the light of day, not the shadows of the night.

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