MUKILTEO – The city attorney says it was legal for a City Council member to write a statement for the voters pamphlet. But a former council member isn’t convinced.
Councilwoman Jennifer Gregerson, along with resident Marko Liias, agreed to write the statement in favor of Mukilteo’s proposed emergency medical services levy, which will be on the ballot Sept. 14.
A state law says elected officials may not use the “facilities” of their office to promote any type of campaign.
When former councilman and city watchdog Charlie Pancerzewski – who is co-writing the statement against the levy – learned of Gregerson’s participation, he protested to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office.
Pancerzewski said he received a letter from the auditor saying the office does not get involved in those types of issues. It suggested he get an opinion from Mukilteo’s city attorney.
He asked the city about the matter and received another letter stating that the city does not give legal opinions in response to citizen requests, Pancerzewski said.
However, City Attorney Jim Haney said the councilwoman’s participation in the voters pamphlet was legal.
“Council member Gregerson has the right as an individual to engage in political activity, she simply can’t use city resources to do so,” Haney said.
Gregerson said when only one person stepped up to write the pro statement for the pamphlet, she was asked by Councilwoman Cathy Reese if she would fill the other half of the team. She had co-written the statement for each of last year’s emergency medical services measures, both of which failed, as a candidate for City Council.
Members of the pamphlet-writing team for city measures must be approved by the City Council. Last year, Gregerson’s appointment was questioned by some who saw it as a way for her to promote her campaign, but was approved anyway, she said. This year, her participation was approved 7-0 – her vote included.
“I probably could have abstained, but I felt comfortable with being on the committee, and I knew I wasn’t going to use city resources in any way,” Gregerson said.
Pancerzewski said the law does not specify city facilities – prohibiting “use of any of the facilities of a public office or agency, directly or indirectly,” as the passage states. The county voters pamphlet, he said, could constitute a facility of a public office or agency.
Pancerzewski said he is not questioning Gregerson’s integrity. He said he served on her election campaign last year and was a major contributor.
“It was never any question of her integrity, it was a question of whether a city can appoint her to serve on the committee,” he said.
Pancerzewski said he doesn’t plan to press the matter any further, noting that both statements have been written and sent for publication. The county auditor will mail voters pamphlets Aug. 25 or 26, a staff member said.
“I don’t know what else I would do,” he said.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
