The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) on Oct. 22, 2024 dismissed a complaint against Burien city officials over its online statements on the minimum wage, concluding that there is no evidence they misused public facilities or resources to support or oppose a ballot measure.
The complaint, filed Aug. 26, 2024 by Charles Schaefer (no relation to Scott Schaefer) and Nancy Kick, alleged that the city violated RCW 42.17A.555, a law governing the use of public resources in election-related activities.
“On 8/12/2024 the City of Burien published a statement on its website which campaigns against the initiative petition submitted earlier that day to raise Burien’s minimum wage by accusing the initiative campaign of being ‘misleading’ and saying that the initiative ‘threaten[s]’ current law,” the original complaint said.
“Based on our findings, staff has determined that, in this instance, there does not appear to be a violation that warrants further investigation,” the PDC ruling states. “PDC staff is reminding City of Burien officials about the importance of monitoring content focused on election issues to ensure it remains fair and objective.”
“Describing a ballot measure as posing a ‘problem’ and having ‘threatened’ city policy, and characterizing supporters as acting ‘misleadingly,’ will invite the PDC’s scrutiny to determine whether the activity still falls within the narrow exemption to use of public facilities in election campaigns allowed in law,” the commission added.
City Manager Speaks Out
In a statement following the decision, Burien City Manager Adolfo Bailon expressed frustration over what he described as the misuse of government systems to further personal political agendas.
“It is a shame that specific members of the Burien community—and their associates—misuse and abuse legitimate systems at the expense of taxpayers in order to further their own personal political agenda,” Bailon said.
Bailon emphasized the need to allow city employees to focus on their essential duties, noting:
“Burien employees are good, hardworking people; they deserve the right to dedicate their extremely limited time – due to limited resources – to providing excellent service to residents and visitors to our great city.”
Charles Schaefer Responds
“I appreciate that the PDC recognized the need to remind the city about the importance of being fair and objective and I hope the city will take that seriously moving forward,” Schaefer told The B-Town Blog. “I’m also amazed that the city manager is accusing me of abusing the PDC complaint process when he has TWICE attempted to press criminal charges against me that the police and prosecutor determined were not worthy of action, wasting taxpayer money to further his own agenda.”
Here’s full text of the PDC ruling:
“The complaints allege City of Burien officials violated RCW 42.17A.555 by misusing public facilities or resources to support or oppose a ballot measure.
“PDC staff reviewed the allegations and evidence submitted; the applicable statutes and rules, and the response provided by Adolfo Bailon, Burien City Manager, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.
“PDC staff noted subjective, charged language should be closely scrutinized in future election-related information.
“Based on our findings, staff has determined that, in this instance, there does not appear to be a violation that warrants further investigation. PDC staff is reminding City of Burien officials about the importance of monitoring content focused on election issues to ensure it remains fair and objective. Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).”
Maybe don’t direct city employees to do illegal things and they will have plenty of time to work on those “essentials.”
Those “legitimate systems” are there to keep our governments in check and law-abiding. That’s why the city and 4 council members are being sued for violating the Open Public Meetings Act. If our governments won’t obey the law willingly, it is up to citizens to intervene.
You yourself broke both decorum and well known rules during a Council meeting and still have the audacity to complain about process.
You clearly have an ax to grind and should look for a better use of your time.
Charles and his ilk need to focus on becoming contributing members of society, instead of just whining with tantrum throwing episodes of frustration over life choices.
One can highly agree to this statement viewing both sides with an open mind.
Imagine making this statement “Burien employees are good, hardworking people; they deserve the right to dedicate their extremely limited time – due to limited resources – to providing excellent service to residents and visitors to our great city.”
…in the context of how Bailon and Schilling treated the King County Sheriff’s Office.
This guy seems to have no shame, or any standards that aren’t double standards.
Speaking of double standards, what about how the KC Sheriff enforces the same laws Burien has on the books in other contracted cities, but not Burien. Well…..?