Updates

Although things have been quiet on this blog for a few weeks, unfortunately things have not quieted down in Pacific. Here are just a few of the things going on:

• The Washington State Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the new material Mayor Sun's attorney tried to add to the recall appeal (the attorney's declaration) would not be allowed. The court upheld the committee's right to cross appeal and threw out Sun's attempt to deny that right. We are waiting for the court's ruling on Sun's appeal of the lower court's finding that there is justification to allow a vote on this recall. Once the recall recieves the high court's approval, we can collect signatures and put the recall out for a vote. All this legal action does not remove Cy Sun from office. It simply allows the voters of Pacific to decide his fate.
• Mayor Sun continues to vow to block any attempt to return the police force to minimum staffing levels.
• Sun has made one attempt and promises a second - to appoint his friend Howard Erickson to the civil service commission. Erickson is the same unqualified friend that Sun hired as building inspector, whom the council refused to pay. The civil service commission oversees certain aspects of the police department (hiring, firing, more).
• Sun has appealed the civil service commission's reinstatement of Public Safety Director John Calkins after Sun tried to wrongfully fire him. The city is required to pay for Calkins attorney as this battle continues, costing even more of our tax dollars.
• Public disclosure laws require that Sun register with the Public Disclosure Commission and disclose the source of the thousands of dollars he is spending. This is considered a political campaign and contributions are limited to $900 per person. The recall committee has carefully followed all PDC rules. To date, Sun has not filed or reported anything to the PDC.
• Our only goal is to bring the recall to a vote of the people. The recall process continues to be costly, complex and draining. Sun and his attorney's throw motions and delays into that process at every turn. We have hired expert attorneys in order navigate this legal maze.  The state constitution guarantees the right of the people to recall elected officials from office, but this burdensome system makes that nearly impossible. We continue to need your help to cover these costs. We have set up a PayPal account (link here) for on-line donations. We are required to collect donors names and other information (link to that form here). Or contributions can be made to the Columbia Bank at 41st and A Street. Thank you for your help!