Embattled Pacific mayor facing recall petition
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PACIFIC, Wash. -- The small town of Pacific has made big headlines this year, and it's all thanks to the growing tension between city workers, residents and the mayor.
The saga will take a huge step forward on Thursday, and when all is said and done, outspoken Mayor Cy Sun could be out of a job.
After months of political infighting, a group of Pacific residents has finally had enough. On Thursday they'll officially launch their campaign to recall the mayor.
Don Thomson is heading the Committee to Recall Cy Sun.
"I'm not doing this for political gain," Thomson said. "I'm doing this because I'm a citizen and something had to be done."
Since taking office in January, Sun has been a lightning rod for controversy.
Sun was arrested by his own police force in July when he tried to enter the city clerk's office, which had been off-limits to him. The arrest capped months of long-simmering tensions between Sun, members of the city council and Sun's opponents who accuse him of abusing power in the small town on the King-Pierce county line.
Prior to the arrest, Sun has locked the city clerk out of her office, fired three heads of department and caused two more to quit. In response, the city council took a vote of no confidence against Sun.
Pacific business owner Tracy Apata says it's time for Sun to go.
"He needs to be removed from office," Apata said. "He's done enough damage to our city."
On Thursday, the committee will submit more than 200 pages explaining why Sun should be bounced from office. From there, it will go to the prosecutor's office and then to the courts. Once a judge has ruled on it, Sun could try to dispute the charges. If he doesn't, it will just be a matter of having enough signatures.
"We only have to gather 35 percent of the registered voters in the city, so it's not a large number. It's less than 450 voters," Apata said.
Thomson said the recall will have long lasting effects in Pacific.
"If he stays as mayor, by December this town will be non existent," he said.
Sun declined to comment on the story.
The saga will take a huge step forward on Thursday, and when all is said and done, outspoken Mayor Cy Sun could be out of a job.
After months of political infighting, a group of Pacific residents has finally had enough. On Thursday they'll officially launch their campaign to recall the mayor.
Don Thomson is heading the Committee to Recall Cy Sun.
"I'm not doing this for political gain," Thomson said. "I'm doing this because I'm a citizen and something had to be done."
Since taking office in January, Sun has been a lightning rod for controversy.
Sun was arrested by his own police force in July when he tried to enter the city clerk's office, which had been off-limits to him. The arrest capped months of long-simmering tensions between Sun, members of the city council and Sun's opponents who accuse him of abusing power in the small town on the King-Pierce county line.
Prior to the arrest, Sun has locked the city clerk out of her office, fired three heads of department and caused two more to quit. In response, the city council took a vote of no confidence against Sun.
Pacific business owner Tracy Apata says it's time for Sun to go.
"He needs to be removed from office," Apata said. "He's done enough damage to our city."
On Thursday, the committee will submit more than 200 pages explaining why Sun should be bounced from office. From there, it will go to the prosecutor's office and then to the courts. Once a judge has ruled on it, Sun could try to dispute the charges. If he doesn't, it will just be a matter of having enough signatures.
"We only have to gather 35 percent of the registered voters in the city, so it's not a large number. It's less than 450 voters," Apata said.
Thomson said the recall will have long lasting effects in Pacific.
"If he stays as mayor, by December this town will be non existent," he said.
Sun declined to comment on the story.
As an outsider I don't know who is corrupt or who is not. I do know that you cannot just start firing people, especially those who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement like the police. The mayor will only cost his constituents a lot of money if he does not follow due process. You have to give people a hearing before termination. It has been law (Loudermill) for many years.  If they are crooked fine, go get them but don't overlook due process. From the news coverage I have seen the mayor is not following the law.
From my understanding, Mayor Sun has been trying to clean up the corrupt town of Pacific. He should be allowed to do so! How much you wanna bet the corrupt police and corrupt city council officials (including the murderer) are foaming at the mouth to get Mayor Sun kicked out of office?
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Well I stand behind you, Mayor Sun! I may not be a citizen of your town but I have done some research into what you are trying to accomplish during your bid in office and from what I understand, it sounds to me like some folks don't like you making these necessary changes.
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Keep on keeping on, Mr. Mayor!
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And Komo, please keep us updated on the happenings with Mayor Sun and the town of Pacific. I look forward to the updates on what's going on in this real life saga.
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From what I've heard, this town had problems way before Mayor Sun took office. I have avoided going to or even driving through Pacific for years now. I know several people that moved away because of all the problems. I agree with boeman, fire everyone and start over!
@ScienceGirl His primary campaign platform was to clean out the corruption in the town. Sounds like he is doing just that in his own way. I say give him a chance to chance to see how it turns out. If it works, I say vote him in as Washington Governor and let him clean out the state government next on his way to being president and cleaning out the Federal government.
Sounds like one lil sick town that needs more that a mayor recall
Somehow or another, I feel as if there is a lot more to this story. The mayor has stated repeatedly that he's trying to clean up rampant corruption. If that's the case, I'd like to hear the details and see evidence of said corruption before we throw the guy out of office for being a complete loon.
Sounds like EVERYBODY needs to be kicked out of office, Mayor, council, police force, dog catcher, and have the county take over for about 5 years. Then "maybe" start over. Anyone currently on city payroll (or their relatives) need not apply.
The county???? Like they know how to manage money?? Starting over is a great idea...but, to have it done by a govt entity that can manage the time of time is as asinine as it gets.......As Mr Sun found out---you can fight the Man and his Machine. Too many have too much to lose(ie their govt job with many perks)
@SandyBeach Counldn't have said it better myself, sounds like a scaled down version of the US/Washington D.C.
This recall effort will not be easy. So good friggin luck you recall people will need it. Mayor Sun will appeal and your timeline will not be easy. The fact alone the city council is trying to get that drunk ex chief of police John Calkins his job back will cause many to refuse to sign any petition. Why don't you all recall the murderer councilmember Gary Hulsey? Or is murdering your wife with a hunting knife okay, but cleaning up corruption and firing a drunk creep like ex chief of police John Calkins worse than being a convicted murdering councilmember as Gary Hulsey is? Good luck dairy queen princess you will need it. Word is getting out that fired ex police chief is trying to come back and the corrupt city council and attorney want him back with BACK PAY - that alone will cause you problems. Mayor Sun was put in there by the people to get rid of the overpaid staff and corrupt police and you will be surprised when your signature gathering is not a slam dunk. I hope Mayor Sun appeals this recall effort and the town of Pacific is no longer the dirty little crap town it is. Residents home values, safety and police protection by the Sheriff or whichever town takes Pacific as their own is better than leaving this dirty little town in existence. Go Mayor Sun. Appeal Appeal Appeal Appeal. If it even get past a judges bench. You can have 500 pages of ridiculous accusations and scare tactics and a judge will see right through that. FYI the law firm handling this LOST the washburn recall att3empt so why is it being reported this law firm won? Â
@711 Cares Wow, I learned more from your post then KOMOs coverage of the story... go figure.
Orson Wells would have loved this town....
 @Audio Cat yes Orsen wells would have loved this town. There is so much disgusting manipulation by the police, council, and city attorney and many residents know stories that would make your hair stand on end. That's why they voted Sun in the first place. Oh miss dairy queen princess you better make sure any signatures you get are registered voters of PACIFIC BECAUSE WE WILL BE CONTESTING ALL SIGNATURES FOR VERIFICATION. Tracy it's not YOUR town as you said on interview its OUR TOWN YOU DON'T LIVE HERE. YOU JUST HAVE A FRANCHISE DAIRY QUEEN WHICH ISN'T EVEN CLEAN AND HAS BAD SERVICE. EXPECT A BOYCOTT AND PROTEST AT YOUR DISGUSTING DAIRY QUEEN SWEETIE.Â
 @711 Cares  @Audio Cat I've been boycotting all summer. I've had my kids ask to stop at her Dairy Queen and I say no. There's a great new frozen yogurt place up in Lakeland Hills called Cherry de pon. You should check it out. It's way cleaner, the employees are nice, it's cheaper, and healthier. You can't go wrong. And it feels good to know I'm not supporting Tracy Apata and her stupid recall campaign in a city that she doesn't even live in.
 @711 Cares  And gentlemen in England now-a-bed    Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,    And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks    That fought with us UPON SAINT CRISPIN'S DAY!!
hoo boy. you sound like you are a liiiiittle too close to the story. deep breaths, put down the cap letters, it will be ok.
@FormerMarineSgt From what I gather he/she is local, thus likely has inside information.
@This_again?  But how much of 711cares' comments facts vs. ranting hysteria?  I don't know myself, but he/she sure comes across as ranting and raving vs. providing actual details based on the few points that he/she touched on that I'm knowledgeable of
 @This_again?  @SwampThing If you want to read more here is a link to a really good blog. It's not my blog but I think he does a great job at summing up the whole situation through the eyes of an average Pacific citizen.  cline4pacific.tumblr.com
@SwampThing No, I think its enlightening and 711 cares should keep doing/posting what he/she is posting... as I stated in a reply above, I've learned more from 711 cares posts than KOMO is covering.