PORT ANGELES — Acting as his own attorney, Mats Mats resident Mike Belenski argued Thursday that two of Jefferson County’s three commissioners should be recalled.
Belinski claims that commissioners David Sullivan, D-Cape George, and Phil Johnson, D-Port Townsend, have violated the state’s open meetings law and the public’s free speech rights.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams said he will issue a ruling in writing next week and mail his decision to Belenski and the commissioners.
The case was filed in Clallam County because Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser had, as an attorney, represented Belenski in the past.
Attorneys representing the commissioners described Belenski’s claims as frivolous and requested they be dismissed.
They also asked that Belinksi pay the commissioners’ legal fees, which now are being paid by Jefferson County.
Johnson said his legal fees have amounted to about $1,700 thus far.
Sullivan didn’t know how much his were.
Sullivan’s Seattle-based attorney Malcolm Harris said Belenski’s recall attempt is because of a clash of personalities.
“Mr. Belenski just doesn’t like the commissioners,” Harris told Judge Williams.
“He disagrees with them on ideological grounds.”
Sullivan said he believes the charges will be dismissed.
“These [allegations] just don’t meet the standard to have a recall,” he said.
“This is the kind of thing that has a chilling effect for those who run for office . . . You have to know going in that you have to stand up to bullies.”
Belenski, who has sued Jefferson County several times, disagreed.
“I don’t think I’m a bully,” Belenski said after the hearing.
“When I see an injustice occurring, I don’t turn away. I address the problem.”
“I’m here because I don’t think [the commissioners] have the best intentions of the people in mind, and I think they’re abusing their authority.”
Specific allegations
On Nov. 13, Belenski filed seven allegations against Sullivan and six against Johnson.
By Thursday, he had withdrawn all but three for each commissioner.
Belinski claims:
* That the commissioners voted in July 2006 to approve regulations that chilled citizens’ free speech rights.
He was referring to the September passage of a sign ordinance that limited the size of political signs but did not limit the size of real estate signs.
Belinski has obtained an injunction against enforcement of the ordinance in Clallam County Superior Court.
* That the commissioners violated the Growth Management Act when they agreed in January 2006 to enter into a settlement agreement with the Washington Environmental Council.