County Commissioner Abell admits to dozing off at meeting

Flathead County Commissioner Brad Abell acknowledges falling asleep during a meeting last week on the county’s plan for a regional septage facility.

County commissioners held two public meetings on the new facility both on Dec. 1 — one at 10 a.m. and the second began at 6 p.m. It was during the evening meeting that Abell says he fell asleep after having awoken at 5 a.m. that day to plow snow.

“It was 7 at night and I dozed off,” he told the Daily Inter Lake on Tuesday. “It was during the presentation that I had seen for the third time that day and not during public comment. I never missed anything.”

A video taken by one of the attendees of the meeting has appeared on social media showing Abell sitting at the commissioner’s desk with his eyes closed and head resting on his hand. A potential site for the plant in Lower Valley has drawn opposition from neighboring property owners.

“They assume I’m going to go against them so they’re attacking me and I guess it’s working,” he said, referencing those who were in the audience speaking against the proposed site.

Abell, who before being elected to the commission was a heavy-equipment operator for Weyerhaeuser, says as a former shift worker he “struggles with sleep patterns.”

Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.