At the special meeting called to approve a new ethics officer last week, ex-mayor Joshua Freed again tried to force a vote concerning a “new” ethics officer, on the “new” acting city manager. The acting city manager asked for the approval by the council of an ethics officer that had not had any previous dealings with the city of Bothell. Any previous activity with the city had occurred more than 15 years ago, for the ethics officer suggested by the acting city manager.

However, Freed and council member [Del] Spivey, tried to undermine and obstruct the city council vote by asking for the ethics officer to be the same officer that had allowed Freed to “be released” of his last ethics investigation. Even when it became apparent that the last ethics investigation was “suspect”, Freed and Spivey still insisted on an officer that already had many transactions with the city council.

At the same time, the acting city manager was trying to insist that the “new” ethics officer should not have had any dealings with the city, to prevent “conflict of interest” problems. It seemed apparent and logical that a “new” ethics officer would not have previous contact or arrangement with the council.

In spite of the delay, and attempted blockade by Freed and Spivey, the council was finally able to vote on approval of a “new” ethics officer. But the hurdle and impediment goes on.

Robert Tadlock, Bothell