At the Washington County BOCC, Monday, October 27, Jeri Soulier took about 20 minutes to recount hearsay to the Commissioners. She claimed someone told her they’d seen the Prosecuting Attorney and two Commissioners eating together at a local establishment. She also said that person heard a few words, and Jim Harberd’s name - no context was given.
She apparently had an epiphany recently when speaking with me. I used the term “optics” to describe my view of real estate agents and brokers on P&Z, involved in land use decision-making. She credited me by name for the term, “optics,” using it several times to make veiled accusations that the Commissioners and Prosecutor were doing something nefarious.
Though I’m happy to contribute to her vocabulary, she might want to ponder that other term: “Hearsay.” She made outright threats of legal action based on something a court of law does not recognize. Hearsay may be interesting at the kitchen table, but it has no place in County business.
The moment Commissioners realized she was basing her presentation on hearsay, they should have immediately dismissed her. She herself saw nothing and heard nothing - so, she should have said nothing.
Carolyn Kiesz
