Judge allows recall effort to proceed against Pacific mayor
SEATTLE -- An effort to recall embattled Pacific Mayor Cy Sun took a step forward Tuesday after a King County judge ruled that Sun's alleged actions may constitute a violation of his oath of office.
Sun has been at odds with his own city council from the day he took office this year -- the winner of a write-in campaign where he vowed to clean out what he called "corruption" at city hall. Department heads either quit or were fired.
He has already been ordered by a judge to start hiring new department heads for the city, and last week he escaped charges over allegations of criminal misconduct.
In court on Tuesday, Sun's attorney argued that the mayor has simply been trying to clean up the city and has done nothing wrong.
Judge Laura Inveen rejected most of the arguments made by those pushing for a recall, but said Sun's alleged actions that may cause the city to lost its liability insurance do "justify a finding of factual and legal sufficiency that the mayor violated his oath of office."
She ordered both sides to work on new ballot language for the potential recall.
Sun has 15 days to appeal Inveen's ruling. Barring a successful appeal from Sun, residents will then need to gather enough signatures to put the recall to a vote.
Sun has been at odds with his own city council from the day he took office this year -- the winner of a write-in campaign where he vowed to clean out what he called "corruption" at city hall. Department heads either quit or were fired.
He has already been ordered by a judge to start hiring new department heads for the city, and last week he escaped charges over allegations of criminal misconduct.
In court on Tuesday, Sun's attorney argued that the mayor has simply been trying to clean up the city and has done nothing wrong.
Judge Laura Inveen rejected most of the arguments made by those pushing for a recall, but said Sun's alleged actions that may cause the city to lost its liability insurance do "justify a finding of factual and legal sufficiency that the mayor violated his oath of office."
She ordered both sides to work on new ballot language for the potential recall.
Sun has 15 days to appeal Inveen's ruling. Barring a successful appeal from Sun, residents will then need to gather enough signatures to put the recall to a vote.
My first prediction is that Mayor Sun will appeal, which will put this case in limbo a while longer. Until that appeal process is over, the Recall people cannot get signatures, which leads to my next prediction - they will not have enough signatures in time to be put on the ballot.
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I agree with Ottomobile below - Funny how SO MANY charges against the Mayor were taken down to 2 . . . I think the Mayor will win the recall process. I am still voting for him; I will not sign the recall petition.
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Good luck, Mayor - Maybe your supporters need to picket City Hall and put on the same demonstration your opponents are.
Guy ruffled too many feathers--esp. those on the taxpayers' dime. There's no stopping the Man and his Machine.
Such a joke that he was elected in the first place. Â This is what happens when the ignorant vote. Â
@JusticeSeeker may be just like yourself who voted for these Council members.
 @JusticeSeeker Yeah. The current system is working great. No waste or corruption whatsoever. Glad you've sealed your spot on the ship of fools. It'd be a shame to be left behind, wouldn't it????
 @JusticeSeeker And I sure hope that encourages people to think before voting in this election.
Seems to me that voters should have the right to recall a politician if they deem that person not to be a good leader. If the majority decide they want him gone then that is what should happen. These people work for the taxpayer and why they have made it so difficult to "fire" someone is beyond me.
 @Jatok It would seem to me that if the community that elected him gets together enough signatures on a petition then a recall vote should take place, same as just about any other measure. With less than enough signatures, no reason to put the recall up for a vote (with it's corresponding cost).
Have they tried to get enough signatures? From what I've read about this guy his intentions may have been good, but his methods for carrying them out have been far less than professional. Do we hold these people to higher standards or don't we.
I am still voting for Cy Sun. Â First the appeal should be exercised. Â Second I don't think they will get enough signatures. Â It turns out he is no less subject to power corruption than Heldreth after having used the police department for his personal criminal investigation regarding his Portland properties. Â After all the allegations have been set forth the recall has been cut down to two issues:
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1) Directing Pacific police department officers to operate as his personal police force in conducting a criminal investigation into the identity of those responsible for distributing negative information and allegations about him concerning his Echo, Oregon property, which is outside of their jurisdiction;
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2) Jeopardizing the City's liability insurance coverage by not filling vacant department heads.
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#1 is entirely on the Mayor, he should not have done that. Â #2 is on City Council. Â I still support Mayor Sun.
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In other news, the City Attorney suggests we prepare for dis incorporation. Â Read this letter to the Mayor and City Council:
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https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxK6rmF7KtPacjdROGw2RWZialk/edit?pli=1
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@OttoMobile He could use the appeal process, but he also said if the people recalled him, that he would leave office.
it's tough trying to clean out the corruption and this is how you are treated. Good luck Mr. Sun, hope you can beat this and go back to being mayor.
Only thing missing is Boss Hogg, Rosco P. Coltrane, Duke boys and ofcourse Daisy Duke...
@Windowseat You forgot Cousin Ennis, & Flash the dog
Pacific and Algona just need to be incoporated as part of Auburn. I think the days of "Hazard County" need to end.
It's about time. This has gotten ridiculous. I believe Sun had good intentions but has gone about them incorrectly. All of this has made Pacific a laughing stock. I, as a tax payer and resident of this city, am ashamed of the actions of all on both sides.Â
I wonder how much money the city of Pacific has spent so far on this whole mess (i.e. legal fees, court costs, etc.)?
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 @The WA Mama It sort of reminds me (cost wise) of the story that was on here about Gold Bar, I think it's all silly.  Â
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http://www.komonews.com/news/local/162432696.html