The Real Story Behind the Recall Attempt...

Why is this Recall Attempt Happening?

The scheme to Recall Councilmember Pepper is a political ploy to defeat the Reform Majority by removing one of the Councilmembers setting up a 2-2 split vote to select a replacement. The Mayor would be able, then, to break the tie in favor of someone who will go along with her agenda.

Incumbent Mayor Benson and Council members Deady and Edelman have supported subsidies for the Yarrow Bay development and opposed the election of Pat Pepper and Brian Weber in 2015.

Who is Promoting this Recall?

The proponents of the Recall are former City Councilmembers and their spouses. Here are the top contributors:

The political arm of the Association of Realtors.

Judy Goodwin, spouse of Craig Goodwin, former Councilmember whose DUI was a factor in his defeat in 2015. Mr. Goodwin received only 30% of the vote.

Robbin Taylor, whose husband was a former Councilmember. Mr. Taylor received only 30% of the vote in 2015, due in part to his poor attendance at Council Meetings.

How does a Recall work?

Anyone can file for a recall on any elected official. Once filed, the King County Prosecuting Attorney writes up a draft ballot description and a Superior Court Judge reviews it to determine if it meets the legal requirements.

A Recall petition does not have to be factual. State law prohibits the Prosecuting Attorney or the Judge from determining whether the allegations are true. That is left up to the voters.

Are the Recall Allegations True?

No! The actual facts are that Council member Pepper acted to uphold her oath of office and properly made discretionary decisions. Developer attorneys threatened lawsuits over some of these actions, but no lawsuit has been adjudicated in the developer's favor. If threats of a lawsuit were enough to "recall" an elected official, a strategy to get rid of any political opponent would be to threaten a lawsuit over an issue under council consideration, then file a recall based on the threat. It is important not to let this precedent stand, and an appeal has been filed.

Is the Lawsuit by Yarrow Bay related to the Recall?

Well, yes and no. Technically they are separate, but in fact the allegations in the lawsuit are very similar to the false allegations in the Recall.

Why might Yarrow Bay want to recall Pat Pepper?

Yarrow Bay has enjoyed a very powerful position over the City. Using their influence and money, that corporation is literally changing the face of every aspect of our Rural Town.

The Council Majority that took office in 2016 began the process of reforming City Hall to create a better balance between the Mayor, Council, staff, and Yarrow Bay.  Immediately, the Mayor and her staff and attorneys obstructed and attacked every action that was proposed by the Council.

Some interesting examples of Developer Yarrow Bay's Influence:

The Economic Development Director for the City has the full responsibility for reviewing the many Yarrow Bay permits and submittals.  That individual's salary is well over 6 figures, which is fully covered by Yarrow Bay.

Last year when the City Council adopted a budget that challenged Yarrow Bay's control over the budget, the Mayor vetoed it and Yarrow Bay threatened a lawsuit.

Yarrow Bay received a windfall of $20 + million dollars when the Mayor and a previous Council (in 2015) voluntarily walked away from impact fees that were already agreed to by the developer.

What are some of the actions the Reform Council, including Council member Pepper, have taken or tried to take over the past eighteen months?

What are some of the things the Mayor has done to oppose the Reform Council's actions?

Vetoed the Council's budget and threatened to shut down the City unless the Council agreed to her demands.

Ignored the Council's contract authority and refused to allow attorneys and a parliamentarian to participate in City Council Meetings even though they had legal contracts to do so.

Flaunted the Council's contract authority by repeatedly signing illegal "serial" contracts without bids or Council approval.

Refused to allow the Council to meet on city property for their Committee Meetings.

Refused to allow staff to attend and support Council Committee Meetings.

Delayed submitting information to the Council until the last minute and then demands immediate action.

Submitted false and misleading information to the Council, including the termination of an interlocal agreement with the Cities of Covington and Maple Valley.

Vetoed adoption of updated Department of Ecology stormwater standards for developers, and delayed compliance with laws requiring improve stormwater management by new development.

Inappropriately sent political attacks against the Council in resident's water bills.

Refused to implement numerous Council adopted policies.

"Denied" Council Contracts and Resolutions, even though she doesn't have that power.

Retained attorneys illegally so far totaling over $200,000 dollars, who spend much of their time attacking the Council.

What can I do?