11/7/09

To be read at the Council workshop November 9^th, 2009

Madam Mayor Pro-Tempore,

I regret that I am unable to be present with you this evening due to a prior engagement. I am scheduled to be with you again on November 23^rd. I ask that a fellow council member make a motion to excuse me during your council session on November 16^th. However, while I am not present in person, I do wish to urge my fellow council members to consider certain actions, should they become necessary.

In regards to the result of the election, we know that in January we will have a new mayor. In spite of the turbulent events surrounding the current administration, I had hoped for a smooth transition from one administration to the next. After the State Auditor’s Accountability Audit findings were published, this council held a special meeting to discuss the findings as well as potential disciplinary action. One public comment urged Mayor Sellers to resign if her continued presence in City Hall became a stumbling block to the city. The gentleman also noted that it may be irrelevant whether Mayor Sellers were innocent or guilty. If the city has difficulty functioning or maintaining a high level of respect from the public, then it is in the best interest of the city that the mayor resign.

Therefore, it is with a reluctant spirit and heavy heart that I add my call for the resignation of Mayor Sellers.

The State Auditor’s Office completed its audit of the accountability of the city’s books. The final findings are available online. As I write, the Auditor’s Office is continuing its special investigation, which is yet to be made public. Until all of the details that are uncovered through that audit are made public, we may not know the depth of the troubles that Washougal City Hall is in. One thing is certain. I lack faith in the current mayor to fulfill her duties properly. In addition to the issues that were brought up during the audit, the mayor has restricted information flow to go through her office. Yet, she has been largely unavailable since the election.

The City does not have a City Administrator. Furthermore, I understand that Mayor Sellers has taken a week vacation without leaving a plan in place to begin the transition with the mayor-elect. In speaking with certain individuals, I have learned that it is questionable as to whether city staff and department heads are expected to wait for and follow the incumbent mayor’s directions or whether they should coordinate with the mayor-elect. In the absence of strong leadership, human nature indicates that a vacuum will be filled. If Mayor Sellers cannot be respected as our legitimate leader in City Hall, I urge her to step aside and allow the vacuum to be filled through due process.

Sincerely,

Michael Delavar.