PORT TOWNSEND — A new supervisor has taken charge of the Port Townsend branch of the U.S. Post Office and will remain in place until criminal charges against the current postmaster are resolved.
Kathy Kent, 47, the customer service supervisor at the Chehalis Post Office, arrived on Wednesday as the new officer in charge, and will supervise the operations of the post office at 1322 Washington St.
Kent is the temporary replacement for Arthur “Butch” Marx, 49, who is facing three assault-related charges.
Marx is scheduled for trial at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 22-23 in Jefferson County Superior Court at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree assault – intentional assault/reckless infliction of bodily harm, unlawful imprisonment and fourth-degree assault.
The charges were filed after a June 21 incident when two employees of Western International Recovery arrived at Marx’s home in the 800 block of 56th Street to repossess a gray Chrysler 300, during which time Marx allegedly committed the infractions, according to court documents.
Marx, who had worked in the post office for 14 years before becoming postmaster in March 2014, went on leave in June and was replaced temporarily by Catrina Loman, who was from another office, until this week.
Kent said she expected to be in place for at least three months.
“I was asked to come in as the officer in charge until a permanent replacement was found or things were resolved,” she said.
Kent said the postal service would have no comment about the case while it is ongoing.
In a Nov. 12 trial memorandum, attorney Ben Critchlow, who is representing Marx, said his client denies all charges.
“Mr. Marx . . . asserts defense of himself and the property of his motor vehicle,” Critchlow said.
“Facts in dispute are whether the complainants had legal authority to take Mr. Marx’s car without his acquiescence and, if not, whether Mr. Marx’s actions were unlawful in attempting to prevent harm to himself or his property,” the attorney said.
According to a probable cause statement from Port Townsend police, John Leddy and Kiri Denney, a husband and wife team, were repossessing Marx’s car when he left the house and found Denney in the car’s front seat and Leddy backing up a tow truck toward the car.
Marx entered the car on the driver’s side, struggled with Denney, pushed her out of the passenger door and attempted to drive away, the statement said.
Denney sustained a leg injury that caused her to limp, according to the statement.
Port Townsend Police Officer Patrick Fudally said in the probable case statement that when he arrived, Marx said he was attacked by Denney and Leddy.
Marx was served at work by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on June 29.
U.S. Postal Service spokesman Ernie Swanson said in an email on Friday that he “can’t speculate on what might happen” in the case.
If Marx does not return, his job will be advertised and Kent will stay in place until a replacement is found, according to officials.
If that occurs, Kent said she would consider applying for the position.
“The view outside my window is awesome,” she said.
“This is a beautiful place to be. I remember coming here when I was a kid.”
Kent said her mission is to keep the post office running efficiently and to maintain a high level of customer service.
“My door is always open,” she said. “People are welcome to come in and talk to me or call me on the phone.”
The post office’s phone number is 360-379-2996.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.