PORT TOWNSEND — A four-point ethics complaint has been filed against Port Townsend Mayor David Faber.
In an 18-page document, Reverend Chrystal Cox outlines each of the points, including that Faber is up-zoning city property at Camas Prairie Park for his personal benefit and that of his associates.
Cox also alleges that Faber voted for the $40 million new pool construction motivated by the value it would add to his real estate holdings, that he provided legal services as a special privilege and that Faber allegedly kept people who he “didn’t like” out of a public meeting in August 2022.
“It’s without merit, either factually or legally,” Faber said. “This is one of a string of complaints that Chrystal Cox has leveled against numerous people for years, with a dubious factual and legal basis.
“I anticipate that the ethics complaint will be summarily dismissed, and if not, the findings will be ‘no ethical issues.’”
Cox filed the complaint with Hearing Examiner Phil Olbrecht, an attorney contracted by the city of Port Townsend. Cox stated in an email that Faber has until 5 p.m. July 26 to respond.
While the complaint references several legal violations, all four reference RCW 42.23.070(1), which states, “No municipal officer may use his or her position to secure special privileges or exemptions for himself, herself, or others.”
The first allegation refers to recent city council discussions regarding zoning part of the Camas Prairie Park property for the potential of future residential development. Cox alleges that Faber is pushing for rezoning for affordable housing with the intent of “laundering” the money through personal business connections.
The document cites a previous affordable housing project, the Cherry Street Project, which was later abandoned. According to the complaint, Faber voted for the funding of the building in 2017. Local nonprofit Homeward Bound handled the project until 2020, at which point Bayside Housing & Services took it over.
Homeward Bound has since changed its name to Olympic Housing Trust. Faber has advocated, according to the complaint, that Olympic Housing Trust be appointed to oversee the project if land is successfully rezoned at Camas Prairie Park.
Cox alleges a connection between Olympic Housing Trust Executive Director Theodore Howard and Faber through real estate investment company Smart Urbanism LLC.
The second allegation focuses on Faber’s interest in the pool project from a personal real estate perspective. Cox alleges the close proximity of Faber’s home ensures a lift in its value.
The third allegation is that Faber extended special privileges to two people following their involvement in an August 2022 counter-protest.
Cox’s complaint includes screenshots of one’s assault charges associated with the event, and references the other person as also committing an assault on Aug. 15, 2022. Both received assistance from Feinson and Faber Law Firm.
Cox alleges that the first could have received indigent defense and that Faber provided him with quality representation. Cox also alleges that Faber’s law firm was acting in his interests, as those it defended shared his side of the conflict.
The fourth allegation says Faber violated open meetings laws by preventing “anti-trans” protesters from attending a city council meeting in which he read a proclamation about violence against trans people and recognizing trans rights as human rights.
Cox cited RCW 42.30.010, which states, “The legislature finds and declares that all public commissions, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, departments, divisions, offices, and all other public agencies of this state and subdivisions thereof exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of this chapter that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.”
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@peninsuladailynews.com.
