Replace Snohomish police chief, business group says

Published 8:32 am Thursday, June 24, 2010

SNOHOMISH — A group of First Street business owners is trying to oust Police Chief John Turner, although city officials said his job is secure.

The group last week delivered a petition with roughly 225 signatures to Mayor Karen Guzak, arguing that Turner is bad for business.

Don Everest, owner of Cathouse Pizza on First Street, said Guzak agreed to seek Turner’s removal.

Guzak, who supports Turner, said that’s not true.

“I did not say that, and I don’t have that authority,” she said. “I made it very clear that the city manager hires and fires the staff.”

City Manager Larry Bauman plans to meet next week with the group to discuss the petition. He noted the petition uses a 2005 arrest as an example of Turner’s problems controlling officers. The arrest occurred two years before Turner came to work in Snohomish.

“I don’t think the reasons given — the material I’ve seen so far — justify his removal or any kind of disciplinary action at all,” Bauman said.

Tensions between law enforcement and some First Street business owners have persisted for years.

“There has been a history of issues on First Street that predates me,” Turner said.

A stabbing, a near-riot and other crimes occurred after Turner’s arrival, however, leading him to focus efforts on addressing alcohol-related violence.

Some on First Street haven’t been happy.

Turner said he reached out to a group of bar owners last fall, asking them to participate in a tour of another city coping with alcohol-related problems. Turner said he never heard back.

Before coming to Snohomish, Turner worked as a police chief in Marysville and Mountlake Terrace and in emergency management. His three-year contract with Snohomish is up in September.

He said he used community advisory boards in the past as a police chief to effectively address public safety issues, such as youth violence in Mountlake Terrace.

He hopes a new liquor advisory committee in Snohomish will help mend fences. Turner wants a bar owner on that board. The city is gathering applications through July 16.

“We’re trying to promote a community dialogue,” Turner said.

The five-person board may include three residents and two business owners. The board will review liquor license applications under Turner’s guidance. It will help recommend to the state Liquor Control Board which establishments should be licensed.

Bar owners did not speak out against the board during an early June meeting when the City Council approved its creation.

The petition, however, cites the board as one reason to dump Turner.

Of the more than 200 people who signed the petition, most list a Snohomish address. Others are from Everett, Stanwood, Marysville and elsewhere.

Mark Nuss, owner of Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse, helped deliver the petition to Guzak. He declined comment before meeting with Bauman next week.

Everest said Turner’s efforts have gone beyond the power of his police chief duties and have damaged the city’s image.

“It seems to me, in my humble opinion, that he’s taken public safety to new levels,” he said.

Guzak said she understands some are concerned about Turner, but she supports his work.

“It’s a perplexing and difficult situation,” she said.

First Street property owners such as Zouhair Mardini also defended Turner. Mardini said the effort to oust Turner is “insane.”

Mardini’s Restaurant was cited for overserving alcohol to patrons after Turner became chief. Mardini said he was frustrated at first, but realized his restaurant deserved the citations.

He said Turner’s efforts came at an unfortunate time. The loss of a First Street motorcycle show in 2009 and increased liquor control enforcement coincided with the national economic downturn.

Some wrongly connected the recession’s effects on business at bars and restaurants with Turner, Mardini said.

“Look, we’re all hurting, and when we hurt, we blame,” Mardini said. “But I think the man means well.”

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com