Monroe City Councilman Ken Berger Recall

MONROE COUNCILMAN KENNETH BERGER - RECALL

Petitioners* Meredith Mechling and Jim Hunnicutt

*Meredith Mechling has been a positive advocate for change on behalf of Monroe's citizens, working for taxpayers rights and ethics in government over the last several years. Mr. Hunnicutt has served several terms on the Monroe council and has also been a strong proponent of ethics in government, Both support Monroe's Ethics Ordinance, created by a citizen initiative. Among Meredith's numerous accomplishments is the oversight and public spotlight she shined on the City of Monroe's informal backdoor after-hours Monroe "council meetings" many years ago, held at a local restaurant where the "real" business of the council was conducted. This spotlight forced an end that practice, which was in violation of the State's Open Public Meetings Act. Ms. Mechling also successfully petitioned for the rights of initiative and referendum powers for Monroe residents, by which Monroe's "contentious" Ethics Board was created. The initiative/referendum process puts legislative power directly into the hands of the citizens, and the Ethics Board gives citizens another oversight tool for actions by their public/elected officials; in short, Mechling and her associates have empowered the citizens of Monroe. We ask that you keep this in mind during the predictable firestrom of criticism continues from special interest groups because of this recall, but also because it is an election year.

	G.R.I.T. Home City of Monroe's Home Page Re Change of Venue (& date) for 3/21 recall hearing Recall Berger Committee 19030 Lenton Pl. SE, #257 Monroe, WA 98272
MONROE COUNCILMAN KENNETH BERGER - RECALL *Petitioners Meredith Mechling and Jim Hunnicutt** Meredith Mechling has been a positive advocate for change on behalf of Monroe's citizens, working for taxpayers rights and ethics in government over the last several years. Mr. Hunnicutt has served several terms on the Monroe council and has also been a strong proponent of ethics in government, Both support Monroe's Ethics Ordinance, created by a citizen initiative. Among Meredith's numerous accomplishments is the oversight and public spotlight she shined on the City of Monroe's informal backdoor after-hours Monroe "council meetings" many years ago, held at a local restaurant where the "real" business of the council was conducted. This spotlight forced an end that practice, which was in violation of the State's Open Public Meetings Act. Ms. Mechling also successfully petitioned for the rights of initiative and referendum powers for Monroe residents, by which Monroe's "contentious" Ethics Board was created. The initiative/referendum process puts legislative power directly into the hands of the citizens, and the Ethics Board gives citizens another oversight tool for actions by their public/elected officials; in short, Mechling and her associates have empowered the citizens of Monroe. We ask that you keep this in mind during the predictable firestrom of criticism continues from special interest groups because of this recall, but also because it is an election year. NOTE:* If readers have only a limited time but are looking for a fairly quick summary of the campaign violation events leading to this recall, we suggest they focus on Exhibit #3 below, "PDC report of Investigation."
Recall Charges & Petition (as of Feb. 22, 2007) Recall Petitioners' Memorandum in Support of Recall Charges & List of exhibits (75 kb pdf) & List of Exhibits
Links to Exhibits (in above Petition): Exhibit No. 1: Stipulated Agreement signed by the PDC and Ken Berger on 10/24/06 (pdf, 584 kb) Exhibit No. 2: RCW 42.17.120 (See "PDC Report of Investigation," Ex. #3, below) Exhibit No. 3: PDC Report of Investigation, PDC Case No. 07-011 and 07-012 (includes investigation of Mike Donow, as well as Berger. Exhibits include PDC investigation, findings and exhibits verifying findings (pdf, 1.5 mb) Exhibit No. 4: Washington State Auditors Report No. 59950 (coming) Exhibit No. 5: Letter to Editor of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Monroe Monitor by Michael Donow (the "apology letter") Exhibit No. 6: The Snohomish Country Tribune article published 9/20/06, "Berger, Minnick Under Investigation for Campaign Fraud, Former City Councilman Admits to His Role in Scam" Exhibit No. 7: Monroe Monitor article published 9/19/06, "Councilmembers Deny Guilt in Campaign Finance Scheme" Exhibit No. 8: Monroe Monitor article published 10/3/06: "Charges Filed Against Monroe City Councilman and Former Councilman" Exhibit No. 9: The Snohomish County Tribune article published 10/4/06, "Charges Filed in Monroe Campaign Scam" Exhibit No. 10: Everett Herald article, published 11/1/06, " Monroe Councilman Fined $20,000" Exhibit No. 11: The Snohomish County Tribune article published 11/8/06, "Monroe City Councilman Ken Berger Fined $20,000" *Exhibit No. 12: Monroe Monitor* article published 11/7/06, "Monroe Councilman Fined $20,000 for Campaign Violation" Exhibit No. 13:** Seattle Times article published 11/8.06, " Councilman Assessed $20,000 Fine" Exhibit No. 14: The Snohomish County Tribune article, published 11/22/06, "Pressure on Berger Grows as Citizens Call for Resignation" Exhibit No. 15: Oath of Office (coming)