Marysville delays oath

Council votes to wait on swearing in man now facing charges

By Kate Reardon and Jim Haley

Herald Writers

MARYVILLE — Amid a firestorm of public protest concerning a controversial city councilman-elect, the Marysville City Council on Monday night voted to postpone swearing in new council members.

Tom Grady, who won a nip-and-tuck election in November and now stands to be prosecuted for forgery, was the object of the hubbub that occurred in a packed city council chambers.

Grady, 46, has been under investigation since March for allegedly forging records to hide the disappearance of more than $38,000 from the Marysville Albertson’s store, which he managed for 13 years. The investigation was disclosed by prosecutors after the election.

Earlier Monday, Snohomish County Prosecutor Jim Krider confirmed that Grady will be charged with a felony.

Traditionally, new city council members have taken the oath early in January, but Mayor Dave Weiser said he recently became acquainted with a law change that allowed a city to swear them in at the last meeting in December before taking office in January.

Related stories:

Grady will face charges

Administering the oath was put on Monday’s agenda at the last minute on Friday, but many people who filled the council chambers objected.

The council voted 4-3 to not go through with the ceremony at the public meeting. Instead, the four council members elected in November will be sworn in sometime after Dec. 22.

Voting to postpone the oath were council members Suzanne Smith, Jim Brennick, John Soriano and NormaJean Dierck, who was beaten by Grady by just 161 votes.

At various points during the meeting, the crowd estimated at about 90 booed or clapped for speakers who aired their views during the public comment part of the agenda.

Marysville resident Matt Gordon said Grady cheated the voters by not disclosing the forgery investigation before the Nov. 6 election.

"By failing to reveal such important information he was failing to tell the truth," Gordon said. The situation "raises some questions as to his moral character and honesty."

Marysville-area resident Jeri Short lambasted Mayor Weiser and others who might have known about the investigation beforehand and said nothing.

"I’m embarrassed and ashamed," Short said. "I’m requesting that Marysville clean house."

Rocky Hoaglund called for a postponement of administering the oath of office, especially since the city traditionally doesn’t swear in new council members until January.

"I can see no compelling reason to set aside a tradition," he said. "Please postpone it."

One speaker, Eric Swobody, a Marysville firefighter, said the people should "let the justice system run its course and not judge before then. The people did speak and Tom did win."

Grady, who was escorted out of the emotion-packed council chambers by police, refused to comment.

Councilwoman-elect Donna Wright said she was disappointed the ceremony was postponed because taking the oath Monday fit better in her schedule.

During a council debate, councilwoman Smith said she felt swearing in the new council members now "was thrown in our faces," and the council had not discussed it.

Councilman Mike Leighan, who voted to hold the ceremony Monday, said the emotionally charged council meeting was "like the ‘Grinch that Stole Christmas’" for the winners of the election.

Councilman Soriano added that he’s bothered by the issues surrounding Grady.

"I’ve lost sleep over it, and I’ve thought about it a hundred different ways. I’m just not happy with what we have here," Soriano said.

You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455

or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.