Future of embattled city hangs in the balance
PACIFIC, Wash. -- King County is ready to step in should the troubled city of Pacific go out of existence.
The county council is the latest government body to offer its help to the tiny city, and the offer came less than 24 hours after a raucous Pacific City Council meeting.
Pacific Mayor Cy Sun faced off against an angry crowd at Monday's council meeting, but he refused to back down.
"I was elected your mayor," he said at the meeting. "You told me to do a job, I did a job."
The council came together to consider whether to cease to exist as a city. The meeting was heated, and at one point the council president ruled Sun out of order and asked him to "refrain from talking."
King County Councilman Pete Von Reichbauer introduced legislation on Tuesday ensuring that if Pacific dissolves, King County will be there for its residents.
"It's time for the politicians to stop throwing bombs at one another and start working together," Von Reichbauer said.
The legislation included a promise that Pacific residents will be protected by county deputies should the police department fold.
"We're going to make sure that our constituents who are King county taxpayers are protected," Von Reichbauer said.
Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis worries that if Pacific goes under, Auburn police -- rather than county deputies -- will be stuck answering emergency calls in Pacific.
"I would like to see how the county financially would do that," Lewis said.
On Monday, the Auburn City Council voted to begin the process of annexing Pacific, but only if it becomes necessary.
"We want the city of Pacific to stay whole. We want them to be a successful city," Lewis said.
Geographically, Pacific is included in both King and Pierce counties, and the city of Sumner has offered to annex the part of Pacific that's in Pierce County.
The Pacific City Council delayed any decision on the future of the city while it awaits a critical decision by its insurance carrier, which has threatened to drop its coverage of the city.
The county council is the latest government body to offer its help to the tiny city, and the offer came less than 24 hours after a raucous Pacific City Council meeting.
Pacific Mayor Cy Sun faced off against an angry crowd at Monday's council meeting, but he refused to back down.
"I was elected your mayor," he said at the meeting. "You told me to do a job, I did a job."
The council came together to consider whether to cease to exist as a city. The meeting was heated, and at one point the council president ruled Sun out of order and asked him to "refrain from talking."
King County Councilman Pete Von Reichbauer introduced legislation on Tuesday ensuring that if Pacific dissolves, King County will be there for its residents.
"It's time for the politicians to stop throwing bombs at one another and start working together," Von Reichbauer said.
The legislation included a promise that Pacific residents will be protected by county deputies should the police department fold.
"We're going to make sure that our constituents who are King county taxpayers are protected," Von Reichbauer said.
Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis worries that if Pacific goes under, Auburn police -- rather than county deputies -- will be stuck answering emergency calls in Pacific.
"I would like to see how the county financially would do that," Lewis said.
On Monday, the Auburn City Council voted to begin the process of annexing Pacific, but only if it becomes necessary.
"We want the city of Pacific to stay whole. We want them to be a successful city," Lewis said.
Geographically, Pacific is included in both King and Pierce counties, and the city of Sumner has offered to annex the part of Pacific that's in Pierce County.
The Pacific City Council delayed any decision on the future of the city while it awaits a critical decision by its insurance carrier, which has threatened to drop its coverage of the city.
Why don't you fire this mayor?
Ok, I live in Tacoma and we've had our political circus these last 4 years with Dale Washam. Mayor Sun seems to be just that same sort of idjit. Good luck with that.
Secondly, I really do think that Pacific should merge with Algona for two reasons.
Firstly, Auburn and Kent own enough of South King County as it is.
Secondly, I think that the City of Alpaca would be all kinds of awesome! ROFL!
This won't the only city to un-incorporate over the next few years. You have to wonder if some of these town (i.e. one stop light size) ever should have become a city in the first place. La Conner, WA got rid of its PD and has the county sheriff cover it just fine.Â
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People should not assume less police or fire coverage.
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Hey KOMO, why not ask the King County Sheriff if they could cover it OK?
It's obvious the city cannot govern itself. Someone has to step in and take accountability.
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The "worst solution" is status quo, yes, but unincorporating is not far behind it. Who would really want to rely on KCSO to provide police services when you have a local police force already?
Material for a new soap opera. Can't make this stuff up. Unincorporated is not the worst solution.
Thank you, Mr. Von Reichbauer for stating that EVERYONE has been throwing political bombs (in my opinion, that includes the City Council). Â The Council did everything thing they could to discredit Mayor Sun, starting with his very first meeting with the City Council when convicted murderer Councilman Hulsey confronted Mayor Sun over his war record. Â The City Council shares fault for our City going under. Â And let's throw in Councilman Josh Putnam who has gone to every website he can to post negative things about Mayor Sun. Â I hope they're happy now. Â Â
@ScaredinPacific rember they were all voted in by the voters of Pacific,
 @1234  @ScaredinPacific Don't bother with this guy, he is 100% for Mr. Sun.
Exactly.