SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – A local judge recently dismissed a petition to recall Spokane County Commissioner Al French, ruling the allegations legally insufficient and highlighting procedural concerns about the timing of the recall effort close to an upcoming election. The decision, rendered by Whitman County Judge Gary Libey, has reverberated through the community, prompting plans for an appeal by the group behind the recall effort.
The Clean Water Accountability Coalition initiated the recall drive on August 26, accusing French of violating his oath of office by allegedly covering up the contamination of PFAS chemicals at Spokane International Airport. The petition suggested that French’s actions allowed the dangerous substances to harm the health of residents in the West Plains area for seven years.
French and his legal representative, Mark Lamb, have rebuffed these accusations, framing the recall attempt as a political maneuver intended to disrupt the electoral process. In his defense, Lamb pointed out that Washington state law prohibits recall efforts within six months of an election, a stipulation that played a pivotal role in the petition’s dismissal.
During the court proceedings, Judge Libey not only cited this procedural issue but also found the five accusations against French lacking legal merit to warrant a recall. Despite this legal ruling, Knoll Lowney, attorney representing the coalition, maintained that the dismissal was grounded in “legal technicalities” rather than a substantive examination of the facts.
The hearing also delved into financial disclosures connected to the recall effort. Concerns were raised by French’s counsel regarding the transparency of financial backers of the recall, prompting the judge to mandate public disclosure of the financial details concerning the attorney’s fees by October 31. This directive surfaced amidst discussions about the role of external funding and its influence in local political matters.
French’s attorney highlighted the elaborate nature of the recall petition, which contained a comprehensive 114-page document cataloguing various pieces of evidence. He expressed skepticism regarding the funding of such an extensive legal document, suggesting a discrepancy in the reported cost and the actual financial backing behind it.
Navigating the thorny realm of campaign finance, particularly the use of undisclosed or “dark money,” has become increasingly contentious, with implications for both the integrity and transparency of local elections.
The proponents of the recall have been vocal in expressing their dissatisfaction with the ruling and are gearing up to take their case to the state Supreme Court. Attorney Lowney underscored the coalition’s resolve to continue their pursuit against Commissioner French, emphasizing the harm they believe his actions have inflicted on the local community.
The recall group asserts that the residents of West Plains deserve a chance to formally express their discontent through a recall vote, particularly concerning what they interpret as French’s mismanagement of the environmental hazard. With an eye on the upcoming November 5 election, the coalition aims to expedite the appeal process, seeking a prompt resolution from the state’s highest court.
This legal battle in Spokane County not only underscores the complexities of recall laws and electoral integrity but also highlights the broader tensions surrounding environmental management and community health – issues that resonate far beyond the borders of this Washington community.