It's 1 a.m. and I've just received word that there is an online news story in the Seattle Times unfavorable to Pacific Mayor Cy Sun. A lawsuit has been filed against him charging child sexual abuse 44 years ago, and already some armchair pundits are behaving in knee-jerk fashion, taking sides depending on their particular inclination, with many discrediting the adult plaintiff without knowing much about her.
Here's something to keep in mind: We don't know whether the claim is frivolous or has merit. All we know is that it has been filed in Pierce County Superior Court. The fact that the story is carried in the Seattle Times doesn't give the claim credibility, because by all appearances the Times has not looked beyond the filing. Just by itself, the lawsuit is news, and in this particular instance, the newspaper is compelled to report the lawsuit, regardless of its merit.
There's another thing to keep in mind: This lawsuit may take a long time to resolve, so it would be a mistake to allow it to distract the city's elected officials from their duty to meet the criteria of their insurance provider to hire competent staff, so that the city can continue to exist. While I personally don't care one way or the other, the elected officials are obligated to care, because that is their duty to the community. They face a Dec. 31 insurance cancellation, and it could come sooner. Given the time line of a lawsuit like this, unless it forces the mayor's resignation, I think it is irrelevant to the task facing the City of Pacific. Mr. Sun was not a Pacific elected official 44 years ago, when this behavior allegedly took place.
As for the recall proponents, this case may whip up sentiment to sign petitions and vote for recall, but it will not advance the election date, and it's very unclear that even a successful recall will save the city. If Mr. Sun is removed from office, but he hasn't filled the many vacancies in city government, there likely won't be a city to save. Using this to aggravate and distract him is in nobody's interest.
As for Pacific's residents, they still can benefit from rediscovering their neighbors, and creating links that grow a more vibrant community to survive this battle. At this moment, there are four Internet blogs and a Facebook page linking up a community that only recently was a backwater for most print and broadcast media, even including the Auburn Reporter. There is the hint of a possibility that a community can emerge that will be able to negotiate with a new government; and if the city of Pacific survives, that community conceivably could provide better leaders.
Stay cool. Stay focused.
Here's something to keep in mind: We don't know whether the claim is frivolous or has merit. All we know is that it has been filed in Pierce County Superior Court. The fact that the story is carried in the Seattle Times doesn't give the claim credibility, because by all appearances the Times has not looked beyond the filing. Just by itself, the lawsuit is news, and in this particular instance, the newspaper is compelled to report the lawsuit, regardless of its merit.
There's another thing to keep in mind: This lawsuit may take a long time to resolve, so it would be a mistake to allow it to distract the city's elected officials from their duty to meet the criteria of their insurance provider to hire competent staff, so that the city can continue to exist. While I personally don't care one way or the other, the elected officials are obligated to care, because that is their duty to the community. They face a Dec. 31 insurance cancellation, and it could come sooner. Given the time line of a lawsuit like this, unless it forces the mayor's resignation, I think it is irrelevant to the task facing the City of Pacific. Mr. Sun was not a Pacific elected official 44 years ago, when this behavior allegedly took place.
As for the recall proponents, this case may whip up sentiment to sign petitions and vote for recall, but it will not advance the election date, and it's very unclear that even a successful recall will save the city. If Mr. Sun is removed from office, but he hasn't filled the many vacancies in city government, there likely won't be a city to save. Using this to aggravate and distract him is in nobody's interest.
As for Pacific's residents, they still can benefit from rediscovering their neighbors, and creating links that grow a more vibrant community to survive this battle. At this moment, there are four Internet blogs and a Facebook page linking up a community that only recently was a backwater for most print and broadcast media, even including the Auburn Reporter. There is the hint of a possibility that a community can emerge that will be able to negotiate with a new government; and if the city of Pacific survives, that community conceivably could provide better leaders.
Stay cool. Stay focused.
If history is any measure I see Pacific politics business as usual with just different clowns in the circus. it's time to move on. Lets look at other options for this burb.
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