Some members of the Lacey City Council serve under The Standard of No Standards.
The owner of the Great NW Coffee Co. provided video evidence that Councilmember Ed Kunkel, accompanied by Councilmember Lenny Greenstein, illegally removed a campaign sign belonging to Thurston County Commission candidate Emily Clouse.
1) The misdemeanor
For those councilmembers not familiar with the RCW 29A.84.040, it reads as follows: A person who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising including yard signs or billboards without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable to the same extent as a misdemeanor that is punishable under RCW 9A.20.021. The defacement or removal of each item constitutes a separate violation.
Is not the language clear in its intent? When the subject of Kunkel and Greenstein’s actions became the center of discussion at the end of the July 27 work session when Councilmember Robin Vazquez made a motion to censure Kunkel and Greenstein, other councilmembers rallied around The Standard of No Standards.
2) Looking the other way
With the flagpole firmly in hand, Mayor Andy Ryder said, “I do not feel comfortable with this council making a comment, one way or the other, which has to do with elections,” he said.
He seems to have forgotten that on page 7 of the Lacey City Council’s Policies and Procedures Manual, four of the city’s core values are integrity, leadership, professionalism and accountability. How are Kunkel and Greenstein’s actions in this matter anywhere near in line with these values?
What’s more, Ryder should know that RCW 29A.84.040 has everything to do with the reelections of Kunkel and Greenstein; they are supposed to obey it.
In support of the mayor’s stand on The Standard of No Standards, Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller added, “I’m willing to leave it to the [public] to decide who’s going to represent them in the next four years.”
In line with his interpretation of The Standard of No Standards, Miller opted to do nothing about actions that clearly violated RCW 29A.84.040 and, as Councilmember Carolyn Cox pointed out to the council, “reflects badly on the city.”
3) The vote
But The Standard of No Standards was raised even higher when it was asked if Kunkel and Greenstein would be allowed to vote on whether or not they should be censured.
After some more waving of The Standard of No Standards by Ryder, the city attorney said that Kunkel and Greenstein were allowed to vote on whether or not they would be censured.
Does it not seem odd – to say nothing of illogical - that the two councilmembers who violated RCW 29A.84.040 and who have ignored at least four of the city’s core values get to vote on whether or not they are censured?
In her closing remarks in support of her motion, Vasquez said, “Accountability is important. When there is a nexus to public trust, the reputation of our city in the eyes of the public, it would be inappropriate in my opinion for us to say nothing because to be silent about an issue like this that is so visible is like passively suggesting that we’re okay with it, that it’s fine.”
Not surprisingly, the vote was 4 to 2 with Councilmembers Ryder, Miller, Kunkel and Greenstein voting against the motion to censure; Councilmembers Cox and Vazquez voting in favor; and Councilmember Michael Steadman abstaining because he is a candidate in this week's Primary Election for the same county commissioner seat for which Clouse is running.
The Standard of No Standards flies high at Lacey City Hall.
~ John Simpson, Lacey
Editor's Note: Simpson served on the Lakewood City Council.
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AugieH
It's difficult to come up with the right words to describe this incident. On one hand, it's so petty. On the other, it's just louche. But, it does raise my disgust level with the Lacey City Council. I live in Lacey.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Report this
Yeti1981
Give me a break with all this outrage about a simple mistake. Literally every candidate has violated RCWs and PDC rules in some way and in every election. It is often unintentional and we have to allow room for human error. What seems more like a political stunt was taking the video to the media instead of just handling it. And this is absolutely not a big enough deal to be brought before the city council.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Report this
HappyOlympian
Allowing oneself to decide if they should be punished or held accountable the ultimate in corruption. Lacey, you are setting a new standard of abhorrent behavior, all for something that probably not that significant. Yeti1981, your logic poor and standards for ethical behavior an embarrassment, and the "literally every candidate...." comment silly and has no basis in fact; and the argument "others do it" is no way to run a government. Committing a misdemeanor by a city council member needs to be fully addressed and the council should determine if the action warrants a formal reprimand - which it does.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Report this
greenleaves2023
Thanks, John, for clarifying the problem with this incident. Yet another layer to the Standard of No Standards is that Michael Steadman, who is Emily's opponent, did not vote to censure, nor did he speak out strongly against his fellow councilmembers' actions. In not taking a clear stand, Steadman gives the appearance of approval, and maybe even appreciation, of his fellow good old boys trying to help him out.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Report this
ConservativeHippie
Be sure to read this JOLT article also.
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/the-incident-with-the-sign,11616?inf_contact_key=9ebf1d6592c32f706141ec5d5f6b17c4d18a532c4142cb79caf2b269de1401fa
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Report this
writeROBwrite
Very well said John Simpson!
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Report this