Letter: Accountability to public is essential

Apparently, The Columbian seems as resigned to a new Columbia River bridge as the mayor and city council of Vancouver.

Collectively, they seem to throw their hands in the air and lament that they have no ability or desire to oppose or question Columbia River Crossing and the agencies that are force-feeding a new bridge to Clark County.

Residents don’t even get the opportunity to vote on the project. One thing is certain: They are granted the privilege of paying for CRC.

Over $100 million dollars has been spent without much accountability. Most egregious is the fact that the consulting firm David Evans & Associates has filed suit to block financial disclosure.

The consulting firm’s reasoning is that “trade secrets” would be divulged that will cause substantial injury to the company.

Will someone please tell me how building a bridge is so involved that the process must be kept secret? These people are using public money. Is there anyone who remembers the WPPSS (Washington Public Power Supply System ) debacle?

Consultants are renowned at making the customer loan them their watch, then making the customer pay the consultant to tell them the time of day.

Peter L. Williamson

Vancouver