LETTER: King should pay price for arrogance

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Congratulations and appreciation to Tom Thiersch for prevailing in his court challenge to Jefferson PUD Commissioner Wayne King’s knowing violation of the state’s Open Public Meetings Act.

Fifty years ago, distinguished U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright published “The Arrogance of Power,” a book whose title has become idiomatic in America.

Thiersch has taken those words to heart and exposed a classic example of an official grown out of touch and contemptuous toward those who put him in office.

I concur with Thiersch that the fine should be paid entirely by King instead of by, in effect, the citizens of Washington state.

It’s interesting that the Jefferson PUD online “Latest JPUD News,” updated a day after the Leader’s front-page report, makes no mention of Judge Harper’s judgment. Not newsworthy enough? Maybe JPUD is waiting to announce the news directly to ratepayers in their next monthly bill?

Thankfully, King’s third district seat is on the ballot in 2018.

Hopefully, a modest, competent, law-abiding citizen will step up to become the next third district commissioner.

FOREST SHOMER

Port Townsend