Benton-Franklin Superior Court judges unanimously oppose split
The seven judges of Benton-Franklin Superior Court say they oppose any attempt to dissolve the bicounty system, and suggest county commissioners mend their differences for the sake of the community.
One week after Benton County Commissioner Jerome Delvin talked about possible legislation to split the judicial district, the judges responded with a blunt three-page letter.
“We have watched with increasing dismay as your relationship with your colleagues in Franklin County has deteriorated to the point where you are now apparently attempting to unravel bicounty agencies and programs,” said the letter, addressed to Delvin and fellow commissioners Shon Small and James Beaver.
“Now that your efforts have expanded to threaten the structure of the court itself, it is our obligation as members of the judiciary to make public our unanimous opposition to your course of action,” the letter said.
It is signed by Administrative Presiding Judge Robert Swisher and judges Vic VanderSchoor, Carrie Runge, Cameron Mitchell, Bruce Spanner, Alex Ekstrom and Jackie Shea Brown.
Your attempts to undo this structure would undermine the court’s ability to serve the public, at an increased cost to the taxpayers.
Judges’ letter
The letter also was sent to the Franklin County commissioners and Tri-City media.
The judges emphasized that they are in agreement, despite a public claim by Delvin that one or more of them supports a division.
“The present bicounty structure of the court furthers the administration of justice in both counties,” the letter said. “Your attempts to undo this structure would undermine the court’s ability to serve the public, at an increased cost to the taxpayers.”
On Jan. 26, Delvin said Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, would be willing to sponsor a bill to separate the bicounty operation if four of the six Benton and Franklin commissioners support the concept.
All three Franklin County commissioners told the Herald they will not endorse the plan.
Benton-Franklin Superior Court is 65 years old and can only be split by the state Legislature.
Hewitt’s district extends to Pasco, Benton City and Prosser.
Small, chairman of the Benton County Commission, said Friday that the issue “has been completely blown out of proportion in that it was a thought that was proposed.”
The lack of support from Franklin County commissioners “was pretty much the end of it,” Small said.
It’s very difficult to work with partners when they do not want to work with their partners.
Benton County Commission Chairman Shon Small
He added that people should stop saying Benton County is trying to dissolve Superior Court when it’s “not going anywhere right now,” and there are other issues that need immediate attention.
“The year of 2015 was very disappointing, the lack of cooperation from Franklin County commissioners,” Small said, noting how his counterparts didn’t respond to letters on several topics and denied a majority of attempts to hold bicounty meetings.
“The bottom line is that it’s not fair to the constituents,” he said. “It’s very difficult to work with partners when they do not want to work with their partners.”
The commission’s focus right now is to make sure Franklin County is not being subsidized by Benton County dollars, Small said.
Earlier this week, Benton officials released figures claiming they subsidize Franklin County by $662,000 a year by administering a joint Superior Court, Juvenile Court and human services.
Franklin County has disputed those numbers and is doing its own analysis.
Small said there has been some progress, as Franklin Chairman Rick Miller reached out to Benton County, and they’re now trying to coordinate a joint meeting of the commissions.
“The two counties have long been a model of intergovernmental cooperation providing the residents of both counties with quality, cost-effective services,” the judges’ letter said.
They encourage a face-to-face meeting between the county commissioners as the issues before the court “know no boundary and cross the Columbia River every day.”
“We look forward to you and your colleagues working together to mend whatever relational differences have kept you apart in the past,” the letter said, “and to assure the continued operation of a bicounty relationship that makes our community stronger and safer — a relationship that makes justice more accessible to all.”
Kristin M. Kraemer: 509-582-1531, @KristinMKraemer
This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Benton-Franklin Superior Court judges unanimously oppose split."