It’s time to hit the pause button on restructuring the Gilliam County Court. This statement applies to all of us, not just the county judge, commissioners, and candidates in this year’s election.
Yes, the Gilliam County Court has been moving quickly in recent months. Yes, they voted to transfer juvenile and probate court in rapid order and with little input. And yes, they voiced their approval for restructuring the county court into a board of commissioners.
But these changes should be at least a year away. Judge Elizabeth Farrar Campbell told me that she does not expect to see any changes in the county court until she is out of office. I spoke with her on the phone after she gave testimony to the Senate Judicial Committee on Monday. I asked her point blank – is this something that you and the commissioners are going to try and push through quickly? She said no and pointed to statements made by both Commissioner Shannon and Watkins at the January 11 meeting, when both said that any changes to county court would need to be addressed over several months.
Should Senate Bill 1576-4 pass, validating the court’s decision to transfer probate court, the Gilliam County Court should clearly state its intentions and vow to let this process play out over the course of 2025 or even 2026. Changing the county’s historic function quickly would be a stain on Gilliam County’s legacy. Yes, change is the only thing in this world that is constant, but it should be done with respect and with care.
But the court is not the only entity that needs to take a step back. I need to be careful here because my cousin works for Facebook – but the use of social media to vent and to agitate is troubling. I worry that its sole impact is to divide us. Facebook should be used for sharing pictures of events and grandchildren. Its use as a political wedge is an easy trap and one that we should all seek to avoid.
I’ve seen some ugly stuff online and wild accusations over the past week. Fault lines grow deeper with each “like” or snide comment.
Engaging with elected officials, respectfully airing grievances or sharing concerns will do much more than posting memes and demonizing the court. The gossip and anger that has been online has also crept into the real world. I’ve heard people talking about recalling the judge and commissioners. In an election year! Doing so will not cast Gilliam County in a good light.
There is such great potential for the county and a rich history. We can preserve the past and strive for a better future without finding new lows.
Yes, it’s up to the Gilliam County Court to take its time and engage the public. Who knows, maybe the court maintains its current structure and retains its judge – though they will not rule on juvenile or probate cases as Crook County has done. Maybe a court in the near or distant future reestablishes juvenile and probate court. Or, maybe they recommend establishing a board of commissioners and spell out exactly what that will mean and why it is beneficial to the public over the course of a year or even two. Or maybe through a chartering committee, there is consensus that a board of commissioners isn’t a good fit.
But it is up to us as residents of the county to keep our cool and to engage in this process. The elected officials are not the only ones who need to do the right thing. We all need to be the best versions of ourselves right now.
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