Threatening Communication - claims Economic Alliance Director
Economic Alliance Director Accuses Supervisor Brooks of Retaliation
Justin Birch, director of the Washington County Economic Alliance, told the Board of Supervisors he is instituting a new communications protocol and may refer future board communications to the state Attorney General's office.
Birch made the announcement during public comment at the board's Oct. 19 meeting, after the chair introduced him by name and gave him the floor. "Today, I am setting a new formal communications protocol for the entire Board of Supervisors with the Economic Alliance due to the consistent threatening and unreasonable retaliation we have received from you, Ms. Brooks," Birch said, directing his remarks at Supervisor Brooks.
Birch asked the board to look into the matter further, saying the review should cover not only his agency's appropriation but all county-wide departments. He said any future communications would be recorded and reported to the Attorney General's office "as appropriate."
The exchange puts a public spotlight on tensions between a county economic-development official and an elected supervisor. The Economic Alliance has received an $850,000 county appropriation, and Birch's request for a broader review raises questions about oversight of that funding and how disputes between officials over public money are being handled.