Fallout from a bitter SeaTac City Council election last fall remained Tuesday, July 10 as lawmakers voted on confirmation of the mayoral appointment of two alternates to a citizen’s advisory board.
Judith Williams was confirmed unanimously as Human Services Advisory Committee alternate.
However, the appointment of former city council candidate Othman Heibe to the same committee caused more controversy. He was eventually confirmed on a 4-3 vote.
A lengthy back-story is behind what is usually a routine vote on confirming residents who volunteer to serve on committees.
Back on Sept. 13, Heibe, who had lost a council primary race, accused then-Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher of violating the state code of ethics by using a city computer to support a candidate.
Heibe said Fisher sent an email accusing Councilwoman Mia Gregerson and King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson of using “Heibe as a “pawn.”
The email also contained an attachment apparently from Heibe’s campaign materials accusing Planning Commissioner Daryl Tapio of planning to close down Bow Lake Mobile Homes Park. The material also said Tapio was heavily funding a campaign for an elected mayor proposition.
Tapio denied both accusations.
Events got even more dramatic at the next council meeting when Deputy Mayor Fisher’s wife, Aileen Fisher, revealed she was the author of the emails to Gregerson and Patterson.
With extensive labor union backing, Barry Ladenburg beat Fisher, Gregerson was re-elected and the elected mayor proposition was defeated in the November election.
Fast forwarding to the July 10 council meeting, Earl Gipson, who spearheaded the elected mayor proposition, noted in public comments that Heibe had not apologized for what Gipson said were false statements.
During council discussion, Councilman Rick Forschler commented that Heibe had said on his volunteer application that he could not attend night meetings.
City Manager Todd Cutts replied that City Clerk Kristina Gregg had confirmed that Heibe could arrange his work schedule in order to attend evening meetings of the Human Services Committee.
Councilwoman Pam Fernald said the names of mayoral appointments to advisory board have normally been revealed at one council meeting and then voted on at the next meeting. City Clerk Gregg said the policy had recently been changed.
Mayor Tony Anderson, , Councilman Dave Bush, Gregerson and Ladenburg voted to confirm Heibe. Councilwoman Terry Anderson, Forschler and Fernald voted against.
