We all deserve access to safe, clean water to drink in Spokane County, no matter what we look like or what our zip code is.

But a poisonous “forever chemical” PFAS is poisoning the drinking water of thousands of community members in West Plains and Airway Heights and Spokane County Commissioner Al French covered it up and delayed solutions to the crisis, poisoning his constituents.

In February 2020 and again in September 2021, French intervened to block state funding to study the threat – despite calls for analysis from public health officials, county employees, and impacted families in the 5th County Commission District. Since then, thousands more of his constituents have been put at risk, exposed to PFAS substances that have been linked to several health disorders, including cancer.

In light of Commissioner French’s cover-up of a public health crisis, malfeasence, and blatant wrongdoing against the people he is called to serve, we demand the following:

- Commissioner French to resign immediately from his position as Vice Chair of the Spokane International Airport Board
- Recuse himself from any future decisions on the County Commission involving addressing the PFAS Water Crisis

Any action short of these demands is not the accountability, safety, and health our community and residents of the 5th County Commission District deserve.

For any questions please contact: Jeff DeBray jdebray@fusewashington.org.