Monroe Councilwoman Cudaback apologizes for email

MONROE -- Councilwoman Patsy Cudaback has apologized for a Facebook email she sent believed to have contained confidential city information.

On Tuesday night, Cudaback was given a chance to respond to a complaint brought by Councilman Kurt Goering. The complaint was that Cudaback shared information discussed in executive session in an April message she sent to former Monroe School Board Director Debra Kolrud.

The council, behind closed doors Tuesday, discussed Goering's complaint, which also called for Cudaback to be formally censured.

Back in open session, Cudaback said she did not reveal any sensitive information. "I want to sincerely apologize to council if they feel that I have come up to the line or crossed the line. That was clearly not my intent," Cudaback said in a prepared statement.

The council voted 5-0 to accept Cudaback's apology, with Cudaback abstaining and Councilman Tom Williams absent.

Goering said his complaint was not political.

"It is ingrained into us that, as council members, we simply do not talk about executive material," Goering said. "It is imperative to show that we are not crossing the line."

According to state law, city governments may hold executive sessions to discuss pricing of property, potential litigation and evaluate complaints against a public official or employee.

Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.