Snohomish County NAACP fires Ron Gipson, picks new president

Published 10:44 pm Sunday, December 2, 2007

An Everett city councilman has been booted from his position as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People amid complaints that he allowed the chapter to languish during his tenure.

Councilman Ron Gipson was elected president of the county’s NAACP chapter in October 2006. He was replaced by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas in an election held quietly in October.

The election was announced late Tuesday.

Though last year’s elections were touted as a new beginning for the troubled chapter, Gipson and other chapter officials failed to hold required monthly meetings, said Oscar Eason, president of the NAACP’s State Area Conference, which includes Alaska, Washington and Oregon.

“The executive committee declared the presidency position vacant,” he said. “At the same meeting, they elected a new president.”

Gipson said he didn’t know the committee planned to elect a new president and was surprised when he was notified of the change through an e-mail several weeks ago.

The chapter hasn’t held a general meeting since early this year because the chapter’s other offices hadn’t scheduled one, Gipson said.

“I should have stood my ground to force a meeting, but it’s not my style to micromanage,” he said.

Gipson, who won re-election to Everett City Council in November, said he hasn’t paid his NAACP membership dues because of an incident he claims was discriminatory based on political party lines. Gipson said when Gov. Chris Gregoire declined an invitation to speak at the chapter’s grand opening early this year, he invited Dino Rossi, a Republican who lost to Gregoire in 2004. But the event was canceled to avoid promoting Rossi, Gipson said.

“I can’t support an organization that discriminates,” he said. “Obviously we have different philosophies, so it’s time for me to move on.”

Lucas, the chapter’s new president, did not immediately return phone calls.

In last month’s election, Wally Webster replaced Monica Bibbs as elected first vice president. Janice Green was elected second vice president. Marvetta Toler will continue as secretary, and James Street will continue as treasurer.

The chapter has a history of apathy. It was formed in 1989, but disbanded 11 years later due to lack of interest. They formed again in 2006. The Snohomish County chapter received official recognition early this year, when more than 100 signatures were gathered in favor of the starting the local chapter.

Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.