By Leslie Moriarty

Herald Writer

MONROE — Mayor Bob Holman says Monroe City Council member Jim Hunnicutt is not welcome behind the front desk at City Hall because he bothers employees.

But Hunnicutt said that action is just a political ploy because he is taking on Holman for a council position in the Nov. 6 election.

Actually, Holman made the allegations in a letter given to Hunnicutt July 16, which was given to The Herald just this week.

"Why else would a letter written in July surface now?" Hunnicutt asked. "I’ve been in and out of City Hall for 14 years as a councilman, and all this comes up now?"

Holman, in the letter, said Hunnicutt’s comments to City Hall employees could create a hostile work environment and lead to lawsuits. Holman even decided to step down as mayor and filed for the council seat against Hunnicutt to try to keep him off the council. He took the action a week after he gave the letter to Hunnicutt.

Holman, mayor for six years, said the timing of the letter and filing deadline is a coincidence.

"From early on (in 2000), when I became aware of his (Hunnicutt’s) conduct, I spoke with him about it," Holman said. "But the incidents continued. So I determined that I needed to take the next step, which was to put something in writing."

The letter that The Herald received through a public disclosure request, lists 10 instances where Hunnicutt said things city employees allegedly found inappropriate. When he comes to City Hall, he is supposed to stay in public areas away from employees.

Hunnicutt said it was not uncommon for him to stop at City Hall and pick up council documents and mail. He denied putting pressure on city employees.

"Many of the things I may have said were taken out of context," Hunnicutt said. "In most cases I was joking around, and the people I was talking to knew that."

City attorney Don Lyderson said he did not know how a supporter of Holman’s, retired Monroe Police Cmdr. Mark Wakefield, found out about the letter and brought it to the attention of The Herald.

"It was not intended to be connected to the election in any way," Lyderson said.

Hunnicutt said the letter is full of "he said, she saids and half-truths."

"If I’m guilty of anything, I’m guilty of getting too close to the employees and caring too much," he said.

You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436

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