PORT ANGELES — A third ethics complaint against members of the City Council was filed Tuesday night — this one against Mayor Patrick Downie.
Marolee Smith of Port Angeles presented the complaint to City Clerk Jennifer Veneklasen during the second public comment period at Tuesday night’s regular City Council meeting.
Smith’s complaint centers on Downie’s conduct at the Jan. 5 and Jan. 19 council meetings, specifically his body language and verbal language directed toward those protesting municipal water fluoridation at the meetings.
The first two complaints were against Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd, and then against Kidd and Councilman Dan Gase, regarding the conduct of council members toward citizens protesting the council’s 4-3 decision on Dec. 15 to continue adding fluoride to the city’s water supply.
In addition to the three complaints against City Council members, a fourth complaint has also been filed against City Attorney William Bloor and is being handled by outside counsel.
A three-member ethics panel, selected Feb. 16, is scheduled to meet March 8 for the earlier complaint against Kidd.
On Tuesday the council named Ken Williams, Jerry Dean and William Yucha to a second ethics panel to handle the complaint against Kidd and Gase, which was filed Feb. 19.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
