The Hawkins project: Worth the try

The Organization to Void Illegal Conduct, a group of Whitman County residents determined to keep the county from spending $15 million of public money on the Hawkins shopping center project at the stateline with Idaho, has decided to pursue its case in court.

Last year, after a so-called public meeting where citizens were not allowed to voice their concerns over the county’s investment in the project, outraged citizens formed the organization and hired a lawyer.

The pending lawsuit has hung over the county since.

The heart of the case is deep resentment that they were treated so disrespectfully...