Local Republican State Representative, Bud Cook, who represents the 49th Legislative District, continues his battle with Washington County’s Local Share Account Committee. Cook has now asked Washington County Commissioners to “Immediately Remove” Jeff Kotula as chairman of that committee. Cook made his request in a letter, dated Tuesday, November 16th. In his letter, Cook claims Kotula’s abysmal performance as chairman over the past 13 years has shown a lack of action to ensure accountability, transparency and fairness. Specifically, Cook alleges that Kotula, who is President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agency, awarded his non-profit organization ten “self-serving” state grant awards during his reign. Cook says that practice alone should not only eliminate him from the chairman’s position on the committee, but also from serving on the review committee at all. When contacted by WJPA News, Jeff Kotula responded by saying he encourages anyone who is interested, to look at the public information available on the LSA process and they will find that Washington County’s LSA process is second to none. Also responding to Cook’s accusations, Washington County Commission Chair, Diana Irey-Vaughan, who told WJPA that there is no proof behind Cook’s numerous claims and that commissioners are pleased with the process. She did, however, say that an Economic Development Advisory Board is in the process of investigating all available funding streams and admits that, they would consider changes, if recommended.