The bleachers were overfilled at Glenwood high school for a meeting called by the Klickitat County Commissioners to answer questions about a ruling of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern district of Washington. The ruling affirmed the reservation status by the Yakima Nation over an area known as Tract D including the town of Glenwood.
The meeting was chaired by all three Klickitat County Commissioners. Also in attendance was Klickitat County Prosecutor David Quesnel, Legislative Representative Gina Mossbrucker, Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer, plus a represenative from Congresswoman Jamie Herrera Beutlers office.
Questions were asked about law enforcement issues for tribal and non-tribal members as well as concerns about property rights, management of state lands, status of wells, hunting rights, emergency services, and continuation of county services on tribal land.
One of the tribal members who attended, Kay Valdez said there are many unanswered questions:
Klickitat county commissioner David Sauter said the tribe is non-responsive on some issues, tribal member kay valdez had this response:
One of the most asked questions was whether Klickitat County planned to appeal the court ruling. All three Klickitat County Commissioners agreed more time and deliberation was needed before that question could be answered. A decision by the commissioners on the appeal issue is expected in a couple weeks.