There was a decidedly new and potentially ominous tone at this morning’s commission meeting. Cribbins first set some early ground rules assuring the public are allowed only three minutes each by turning the timer over to county counsel. “When the timer goes off, you are done,” she said. Later when Leo Grandmontagne asked for some clarification from the board related to how much interest Jordan Cove was going to receive in return for making service fee payments during the first five years, Cribbins cut him off. “This is for public comment,” she explained. “This is not a question and answer period.” Sweet was swallowing hard the whole time.

Cribbins has also taken to not answering emails from myself and others. This means the public may have few options remaining to get answers to questions if they can’t expect a response from the commissioners. If Sweet and Cribbins survive the primary challenges this evening look for less and less interaction with the public from here on out. If we are lucky enough to go into a November runoff or if either incumbent loses outright tonight, the public will likely be sequestered more and more as their term continues.