The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—During their work session on Monday, the Columbia County Commissioners discussed whether to give county voters an opportunity to voice an opinion about creating a 51st state, called Liberty.

Earlier this month Danette Bolyard, a spokesperson for the Liberty State Movement, presented the board with a petition signed by 30 people asking that an advisory vote be placed on this November’s general election ballot.

Commissioner Chuck Amerein, who is in favor, said it can be viewed as a protest vote and would place the state legislature on notice regarding the discontent felt by some of the ea...