ARLINGTON – Former County Councilman Jeff Sax is working again, and his first job teams him with a major campaign donor to build housing for homeless teenage girls.
Sax has formed Cascade Resources Group and last week signed a contract with Barclays North to lead construction of Cocoon House’s newest facility in Arlington. Groundbreaking for the project is next week.
Barclays North is providing free general contractor services on the project for the nonprofit. Sax’s role is securing donations of labor and materials for the $400,000 undertaking that could take five months to finish.
He’ll also be the company’s on-site agent ensuring the project progresses on time and working on any problems that arise. Sax and a Barclays North official declined to say how much the former lawmaker will earn.
Sax lost his County Council seat to Democrat Dave Somers. Sax’s election loss followed his admission that he leaked confidential documents outlining a $70 million settlement with King County over the Brightwater sewage treatment plant.
In a written statement to the Snohomish County Ethics Commission in October, Sax said he released the documents because he believed it served the public interest.
“There was no secret information related to Snohomish County’s legal strategy or confidential information that would put the county at a disadvantage,” Sax wrote.
Sax said with Cascade Resources Group he hopes to help public and private entities wend their way through regulation and permitting processes on development projects.
“It is my goal to use my experience to help people solve problems,” he said.
Barclays North, which is owned by Pat McCourt, was an active player in the 2005 election pitting Sax, the incumbent Republican, against Somers.
Sax’s campaign received $1,300 from the company. Firm executives also created the Quality Communities Political Action Committee that funded a $140,000 campaign in support of Sax’s re-election effort.
Politics played no part in the decision to hire Sax, said David Toyer, Barclays North vice president. Since the election, Barclays North and Quality Communities PAC have each given $675 to Somers.
“It is not payback,” he said. “This is a business decision. We want this project to be a successful one for the community. We needed an individual with his skills and experience.”
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: (360) 352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
