A Mats Mats man’s bid to qualify a recall attempt on two Jefferson County commissioners has been thrown out of court in Clallam County.
In a petition filed earlier this month, Mike Belenski claimed commissioners Phil Johnson, a Port Townsend Democrat, and David Sullivan, a Democrat from Cape George, violated the state’s open meetings law and curtailed freedom of expression.
Belenski alleged that Johnson and Sullivan chilled free speech by voting in September for an ordinance to limit the size of political signs but not limiting real estate placards.
He also said the commissioners stymied public involvement when they entered into a settlement agreement with the Washington Environmental Council.
In the settlement, the commissioners adopted the state Department of Ecology 2004 Wetland Rating System.
Belenski alleged that in doing so, the commissioners granted special preference to the environmental group at the expense of public participation.
In his petition, Belenski also claimed Johnson and Sullivan chilled public comments by holding a Nov. 6 Board of County Commissioners hearing in a space too small for the number of people who wanted to attend.
