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Pike’s 2007 Campaign promises:
Pike’s Priority #1. Lake Whatcom
Result: Water Quality worsens under Pike’s term in office.
Lake Whatcom Water Quality Still Slipping – March 2011
Lake Whatcom Reservoir Sewage Dumping Continues and even accelerates. No Comment from Pike.
POSTED: Monday, Mar. 28, 2011 Boil water advisory issued for residents who draw directly from Lake Whatcom
PETER JENSEN – THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
Residents who draw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom are being advised to boil it before consuming it after wastewater was discovered seeping into the lake Monday, March 28.
The wastewater was seeping into the lake from a broken sewer main. The main was repaired on Monday but it’s unknown how long it had been broken and was seeping wastewater. Between 5,000 and 20,000 gallons of wastewater spilled, according to a press release from the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District.
The district urges residents who get drinking water from private systems to boil their water for at least a minute before consuming it, according to the press release.
The advisory does not extend to Bellingham residents or residents who live outside the city limits but get their water through the district. The district will notify the public when the advisory has been lifted, which usually occurs five to seven days after a spill has been discovered.
Jun, 17, 2010
Water advisory issued after sewage spill into Lake Whatcom SAM TAYLOR / THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
People who take their drinking water directly out of Lake Whatcom are being advised to boil it for at least a minute until further notice after a recent sewage spill, officials say.
A blocked sewage pipe between the boundary of the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District and the city of Bellingham wastewater systems caused an overflow estimated to be between 15,000 and 40,000 gallons a day, district officials said. The spill was stopped by the district at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, shortly after being notified of the issue.
The spill, at a manhole near Edgewater Lane and North Shore Road on the northeast side of the lake, does not affect district or city drinking water customers, only those who have their own wells.
It’s unclear when the spill started, though residents walking near the area Saturday didn’t notice any issues, so it’s believed it occurred within the last four days, according to a district press release.
That could mean if it began Sunday, anywhere between 60,000 and 160,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Lake Whatcom.
District Commission Leslie McRoberts said workers do weekly assessments of “critical” manholes in the system to ensure proper flows. That check occurred June 10, she said.
McRoberts added that the district is still trying to contact someone they believe may have been in the area of the spill on Tuesday to see if they noticed the overflow.
Reach SAM TAYLOR at sam.taylor@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2263. Read his Politics Blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics.
Boil-water advisory lifted for Lake Whatcom direct users
SAM TAYLOR – THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
People who take their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom no longer have to boil their water, due to a sewage spill, as of 5 p.m. Monday, June 28, officials said.
Sewage overflowed from a manhole because of a clog in the system sometime between June 13 and June 16, according to Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District officials. It’s unclear exactly when the overflow began, but from 15,000 to 40,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the lake each day.
Despite the advisory being lifted, anyone who takes water directly from the lake would be better off boiling their water simply as a best practice, said District Commissioner Leslie McRoberts.
Reach SAM TAYLOR at sam.taylor@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2263.
June 18, 2010
Lake Whatcom
If you get your drinking water directly out of Lake Whatcom, you’ll want to make sure to boil it — for at least a minute.
There’s a boil water order because of a sewage spill into the lake.
The Bellingham Herald reports a blocked sewage pipe caused an overflow into Lake Whatcom.
The sewer district was able to stop the spill Wednesday morning, but until further notice you’ll have to boil your water.
Boil Water Advisory issued for Lake Whatcom KGMI News Reporting
kgmi@kgmi.com
WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer has issued a Boil Water Advisory.
Sunday night at approximately 830 p.m., wastewater overflowed from the pump station on Lake Lousie Road near Sudden Valley. The overflow lasted between five and ten minutes, the result of electrical equipment failure. The spill has created a potential risk to residents that draw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom.
Those residents are being asked to boil their drinking water for at least one minute before consuming until further notice.
Update- Drinking Water Advisory
The boil water advisory announced on January 15, 2009 for Lake Whatcom is rescinded effective 500 pm Wednesday, January 21, 2009. For any additional information, contact the District’s official media spokesperson, Commissioner Deb Kingsley, at 360-676-6724 .
Thursday morning, January 15, 2009, an 8″ sewer force main break caused an estimated 2,000 gallons of waste water to enter Austin Creek near the Lake Whatcom Boulevard bridge. Austin Creek is a tributary of Lake Whatcom. The force main break occurred at 7 Spring Road in Sudden Valley. The District was able to redirect waste water from the broken force main, stopping further leakage.
This spill has created a potential health risk to residents that withdraw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom without treatment. Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District and the Whatcom County Health Department strongly recommend that residents who draw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom boil their water for a t least 5 minutes before consuming until further notice. (The District will issue a subsequent notice when the boil water advisory can be rescinded.) Drinking water customers of Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District or the City of Bellingham do NOT need to boil their water.
All surface waters and shallow wells can contain pathogenic bacteria at any time. Accordingly, the District and the Whatcom County Health Department also strongly recommend that anyone withdrawing water from Lake Whatcom through a private system treat their water at all times. Minimum treatment should include disinfection to kill potential pathogenic bacteria.
For any additional information, contact the District’s official media spokesperson, Commissioner Deb Kingsley, at 733-2408 (home) or 815-5770 (cell).
Boil advisory lifted for Lake Whatcom water
Source The Bellingham Herald
Residents who drink untreated water from Lake Whatcom no longer need to boil the water before consuming it…It had been in effect since Sept. 7, when about 500 gallons of wastewater leaked into the lake from a pump station in Sudden Valley. People who drink treated water from the Lake Whatcom Water and…
https//www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1180/249034/Boil-Water-Advisory-Lifted-for-Whatcom-County-Lakes-
Boil Water Advisory Lifted for Whatcom County Lakes
Lake Whatcom,Lake Samish,Cain Lake
Boil Water Advisory Lifted for Whatcom County Lakes
The Whatcom County Health Department has lifted the boil water advisory for residents who directly draw their drinking water from Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Cain Lake and other surface water sources.
The advisory was put into place during the storm event last week due to flooding and high storm water flows that washed large volumes of sediment and other suspended solids into the water bodies.
All surface water can contain pathogenic microorganisms. The Whatcom County Health Department recommends that anyone who draws drinking water directly from a surface water source to treat it at all times. Minimum treatment should include filtration and disinfection to kill pathogenic microorganisms. If you have any questions, contact the Whatcom County Health Department at 676-6724.
Eagle Ridge-area residents advised to boil water after Bellingham water main break Dec 1, 2010
*NOTE* – As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, this post has been updated to include information on impacts to Bellingham water customers and to note that no information is available on reasons for the break or estimated costs for repairs.
A boil water advisory has been issued for residents in the Eagle Ridge area outside of Bellingham after a city water main broke Wednesday, Dec. 1.
City water customers were not impacted by the boil water notice issued by the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District, which contracts with the city to provide some water service to about 65 residents in the area on the northeast side of the lake.
District Manager Patrick Sorensen said it’s likely the boil notice will be lifted Thursday, but the district must disinfect its pipes before they come back online. It’s sort of a better-safe-than-sorry approach and no reports of threats or illness have been made at this time, he said.
City customers did lose water Wednesday afternoon during the break but regained it within a few hours, said city spokeswoman Heather Higgins-Aanes. No reasons were given for cause nor estimated cost for repairs.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 at 426 PM and is filed under Bellingham, Lake Whatcom. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Read more http//blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/bellingham/eagle-ridge-area-residents-advised-to-boil-water-after-bellingham-water-main-break/#ixzz1GRLJimWm
12 months ago on The Bellingham Herald
People who take their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom no longer have to boil their water, due to a sewage spill, as of 5 p.m. Monday, June 28, officials said. Sewage overflowed from a manhole because of a clog in the system sometime between June 13 and June 16, according to Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District officials. It’s unclear exactly when the overflow began, but from 15,000 to 40,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the lake…
Flooding has affected a number of homes, water sources, and both septic and sewage systems. This has prompted concern by the Whatcom County Health Department that people take adequate precautions to avoid use of contaminated water. The Health Department has provided information to assist those people whose water supplies have been affected by the flooding. This information can be found on the Whatcom County Health Department website.
Boil Water Advisory in Effect
Recent flood events have resulted in high volumes of stormwater and sediment flowing into local streams and lakes, which may result in increased levels of bacterial contamination. The Whatcom County Health Department is recommending that residents who obtain their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Cain Lake or other surface water sources boil water for one minute prior to consumption, until further notice. Residents obtaining their water from a public water supply do not need to boil their water.
Also, due to a broken water main, the Acme water system has issued a boil water advisory for water users on Turkington Road, west of Hudson Road.
Water main breaks along Northshore Drive in Bellingham
BELLINGHAM — Cityy Public Works crews were doing an emergency repair on a broken water main in the 200 block of Northshore Drive Friday, Feb. 25.
The break of the 1958 cast-iron pipe has forced crews to shut off the main between East Connecticut Street and Silver Beach Avenue. Nine homes will have no water until about 5 p.m. Friday, according to Public Works.
The repair required an emergency exemption approved by the directors of the Public Works and Planning departments because it’s in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
*
Eagle Ridge-area residents near Bellingham advised to boil water after pipe break
A “boil water†advisory has been issued for residents in the Eagle Ridge area outside of Bellingham after a city water main broke Wednesday, Dec. 1.
City water customers were not impacted by the advisory issued by Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District, which contracts with the city to provide water service to about 65 residents in the area on the northeast side of the lake.
District Manager Patrick Sorensen said it’s likely the advisory will be lifted Thursday, but said the district must disinfect its pipes before they can come back on line. It’s a better-safe-than-sorry approach, and no reports of illness have been made, he said.
*
McKenna-area water may be tainted
Residents of the Whitewater Estates subdivision in McKenna are being asked to boil their drinking water because of possible contamination after a water line broke Possible water contamination at McKenna subdivision
People who live in the Whitewater Estates subdivision in McKenna are being asked to boil their drinking water due to possible contamination after a water line broke early Monday.
Without water pressure, the state Department of Heath and the McKenna Water District said it’s possible bacteria and other contaminants could have entered the water system.
The advisory, issued today and expected to last through at least Wednesday, affects the 150 homes in the subdivision, which is west of state Route 507 and north of the Chehalis Western railroad tracks.
SAM TAYLOR; THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
BELLINGHAM – City officials are telling residents of the city’s newest neighborhood that no disease-causing bacteria were found in their water after the city realized no chlorine was in their water supply.
The state’s clean drinking water watchdog says they’re more than pleased with the city’s efforts to deal with the issue, in which city testing showed that not enough of the water-cleaning chemical was in the supply.
Further testing showed that the area affected was about 60 homes in the King Mountain Neighborhood.
The area was annexed into the city limits in March 2009, and the water treatment system wasn’t able to send enough chlorine to that area of the system. City staff have since rectified the issue.
State Office of Drinking Water spokeswoman Carolyn Cox said the city had done “back flips” to make sure it was on top of the issue.
“They’ve done every single thing we’ve asked them to and more,” she said. “I would not want people in Bellingham to be concerned about their water quality.”
Though no health concerns were found, federal rules required that the city notify the affected residents within 30 days of discovering the problem.
Read more http//www.thenewstribune.com/2010/11/22/1435179/bellingham-officials-chlorine.html#ixzz1GRMC4HTM
Boil water advisory lifted for Lake Whatcom
Bellingham WA USA | Feb 23, 2009
Source The Bellingham Herald
boil water advisory for people who draw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom has been lifted as of 5 p.m…The advisory was issued a week ago, according to the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District. The district and the Whatcom County Health Department strongly recommend that anyone withdrawing… FULL ARTICLE AT The Bellingham Herald
Update- Drinking Water Advisory
The boil water advisory announced on January 15, 2009 for Lake Whatcom is rescinded effective 500 pm Wednesday, January 21, 2009. For any additional information, contact the District’s official media spokesperson, Commissioner Deb Kingsley, at 360-676-6724
Thursday morning, January 15, 2009, an 8″ sewer force main break caused an estimated 2,000 gallons of waaste water to enter Austin Creek near the Lake Whatcom Boulevard bridge. Austin Creek is a tributary of Lake Whatcom. The force main break occurred at 7 Spring Road in Sudden Valley. The District was able to redirect waste water from the broken force main, stopping further leakage.
This spill has created a potential health risk to residents that withdraw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom without treatment. Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District and the Whatcom County Health Department strongly recommend that residents who draw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom boil their water for a t least 5 minutes before consuming until further notice. (The District will issue a subsequent notice when the boil water advisory can be rescinded.) Drinking water customers of Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District or the City of Bellingham do NOT need to boil their water.
All surface waters and shallow wells can contain pathogenic bacteria at any time. Accordingly, the District and the Whatcom County Health Department also strongly recommend that anyone withdrawing water from Lake Whatcom through a private system treat their water at all times. Minimum treatment should include disinfection to kill potential pathogenic bacteria.
For any additional information, contact the District’s official media spokesperson, Commissioner Deb Kingsley, at 733-2408 (home) or 815-5770 (cell).
Published 11/22/10 601 pm | Updated 11/22/10 455 pm
Posted January 7, 2009 65028 PM PST
Boil-water advisory lifted for Lake Whatcom direct users June 28, 2010
DATE January 16, 2009 90901 AM PST
Bellingham WA USA | Sep 15, 2008
Posted Monday, 13 December 2010 513AM
Pike’s Multiple Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) Violations
In 2008, Daniel Venus Pike was investigated by the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission for possible violations of State Law while running his 2007 campaign for mayor of Bellingham.
Pike was found guilty of breaking several (four) State laws (RCW’s) for using his tax payer paid office in Skagit County at Skagit Council of Governments to help run his campaign. He was also convicted of filing incomplete or incorrect or false PDC finance reports. A sample of 10 or so of Pike’s emails were provided to the PDC investigators who investigated and concluded that he was indeed violating State Laws.
The letter from the PDC regarding Pike’s investigation, guilt and fine is below.
Note. Despite Pike’s testimony about his understanding of “de minimis” usage exemption for special people like him, the PDC still found him guilty. There is no de minimis exemption, except in Pike’s mind. The tax payers of Skagit County would probably like back the salary money paid to Pike while he was busy pretending to work for them while running his campaign from SCOG offices in Mt. Vernon, WA.
August , 2008
The Honorable Robert M. McKennaAttorney General of Washington1125 Washington Street, S.E.PO Box 40100Olympia, WA 98504
Re: Citizen Action Letter (RCW 42.17.400(4)Liz Aspen, 2007 Campaign for City Council of WoodinvilleSam Crawford, 2007 Campaign for County Council of Whatcom CountyLiz S. Pike, 2007 Campaign for Mayor of CamasDaniel V. Pike, 2007 Campaign for Mayor of BellinghamJames Slowick, 2007 Campaign for Mayor of Oak HarborPenny Sweet, 2007 Campaign for City Council of KirklandJohn Tarrant, 2007 Campaign for Mayor of SheltonRobert A.Van Schoorl, 2007 Campaign for Port Commissioner of OlympiaDear Attorney General McKenna:
The Washington State Realtors supported several candidates throughout Washington State during the 2007 election cycle.
This letter concerns the alleged failure of Lizbeth Aspen, a 2007 candidate for City Council of Woodinville; Sam Crawford, a 2007 candidate for Whatcom County Council; Daniel V. Pike, a 2007 candidate for Mayor of City of Bellingham; Liz S. Pike, a 2007 candidate for Mayor of Camas; James Slowik, candidate for Mayor of City of Oak Harbor; Penny Sweet, a 2007 candidate for City Council of Kirkland; John Tarrant, 2007 candidate for Mayor of City of Shelton; and Robert A. Van Schoorl, a candidate for Port Commissioner of Olympia, to file timely, accurate and complete campaign finance reports with the Public Disclosure Commission, and/or comply with other provisions of Washington state’s campaign laws under 42.17.
I’m sending this written notification pursuant to the citizen action provisions of RCW 42.17.400(4) to inform you that I regrettably have reason to believe that Ms. Aspen, Mr. Crawford, Ms. Pike, Mr. Pike, Mr. Slowik, Ms. Sweet, Mr. Tarrant and Mr. Van Schoorl may have violated numerous provisions of Chapter 42.17 RCW as set forth herein. The failure to report RQL PAC contributions violates the public’s right to know the source of all campaign donations before an election.
According to the Public Disclosure Commission, the Public Disclosure Law relies on the antiseptic qualities of “sunshine” and several prohibitions to assure citizens of Washington that governmental systems and individuals who operate within it are open and honest. Before deciding which candidate, ballot proposal or pending legislation deserves support, the law provides citizens with an in-depth look at who is financing a campaign or has hired lobbyists. In addition, monitoring efforts of concerned citizens, special interest groups, media and Public Disclosure Commission assures compliance with the law.”By concealing, neglecting or refusing to report the source of RQL PAC in-kind donations, the following candidates appear to have violated the public’s trust and RCW 42.17.010(10) “The public’s right to know of the financing of political campaigns and lobbying and the financial affairs of elected officials and candidates far outweighs any right that these matters remain secret and private.”
Regrettably, my investigation has also revealed that the Realtors Quality of Life PAC (a political committee of the Washington Association of Realtors) may have also violated RCW 42.17 on multiple occasions.
Specifically, RCW 42.17.090 and WAC 390-16-037 — RQL PAC fails to itemize in-kind contribution expenditures totaling $66,651.49 benefiting Liz Aspen, Sam Crawford, Liz. Pike, Daniel Pike, James Slowik, Penny Sweet, John Tarrant and Robert Van Schoorl on schedule “A” to the C-4 report (7) day pre-general election C-4 report.RCW 42.17.105(8) by allegedly making in-kind contributions in excess of $5,000 to Sam Crawford, Dan Pike, Liz Pike, Penny Sweet, and Robert Van Schoorl, within 21 days of the 2007 general election.
RCW 42.17.103 — Within 21 days of an election, the sponsor of political advertising who publishes, mails, or otherwise presents to the public political advertising supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition that qualifies as an independent expenditure with a fair market value of $1,000 or more is required to file a special report with the Commission of the PDC. (PDC form C-6) within 24 hours of the date the advertising is first published, mailed, or otherwise presented to the public.
The RQL PAC may have violated RCW 43.17.103 by failing to timely file a C-6 report of independent expenditures for $10,000 for a television ad that supported Sam Crawford, a 2007 candidate for Whatcom County Council. It appears that the RQL PAC did not file accurate or timely independent expenditure reports on behalf of Craig Ottavelli, a 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Olympia; and that the RQL may have also filed incorrect figures for independent expenditures made on behalf of John Zambrano, Michelle Robles and Laura Sonmore in a C-6 report #1592 filed on October 25, 2007. In regards to Zambrano, Robles and Sonmore, the C-6 lists the expenditures as $1,119.47 per candidate and the amended Attachment to Schedule #100247242 lists additional independent expenditures of $4,991.00 or $1663.66 (pg. 4) for each candidate. The Attachment to Schedule “A” also reports independent expenditures for postage for $862.87 and $862.87 for an aggregate total of $6,716.74. It is not apparent if the mailers were prepared separately for each candidate or if the mailer included all three candidates.I respectfully request that the PDC make inquiries to determine what kind of mailer was prepared on behalf of 2007 City Council candidates Zambrano, Robles and Sonmore to determine if all expenditures were reported to the PDC.
Unreported 2007 In-Kind RQL PAC ContributionsLizbeth R. AspenOn April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Attachment to Schedule “A” Amendment #100247242, an in-kind mailer for Lizbeth Aspen, paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $2,278.50. Page 2 of the Amendment to Schedule “A” reports two in-kind/ postage contributions of $753.34 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $3,031.84. Ms. Aspen did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.
In Whatcom County alone, RQL PAC failed to itemize in-kind contribution expenditures totaling $46,650 on seven direct mail political advertising pieces supporting 2007 candidates Sam Crawford, Larry Farr and Daniel Pike. The support was an in-kind contribution to each candidate – $12,874 for Crawford, $14,738 for Farr and $19,038 for Pike. The mailers were delivered to voters during the week of October 29 to November 2, 2007.
After receiving a telephone call on October 19, 2007 from a member of Dan Pike’s campaign staff, The PDC contacted the Realtors on October 19, 2007 to verify if the contributions were “in-kind” or “independent expenditures”. Mr. Wahl and Ms. Whiting of the Realtors and the Realtors Quality of Life Pac all agreed that the expenditures were in-kind contributions to the candidates supported.
Only Larry Farr reported the expenditures as instructed by the RQL PAC. The two in-kind contributions to Crawford and Pike totaled $31,913 and exceeded the maximum contributions allowed by RCW 42.17.105(8) within 21 days of the 2007 general election by $21,913. In local races, it is not unreasonable to question if the portion of the contributions that exceeded the 21 day pre-general maximum $5,000 contribution limit adversely affected the outcome of the election to the benefit of the recipients of the contributions.
Our Public Disclosure laws exist to create a level playing field for all of Washington’s candidates. When a candidate(s) violates the law, opponents who are playing by the rules are placed at a disadvantage. Sometimes, the “disadvantage” is significant enough to produce a change in the outcome of an election.
Sam CrawfordMr. Crawford allegedly was notified that the RQL PAC had made an in-kind contribution totaling $12,875 on October 16, 2007; $7,875 over the 21 day pre-general $5,000 maximum limit.
Mr. Crawford, an incumbent candidate for Whatcom County Council received two separate mailing pieces and an independent expenditure television advertisement worth an additional $10,000. RQL PAC presented the ad to the public on October 31, 2007. RQL PAC reported the ad on its 7 day pre-general election C-4 report, but the Schedule A to the C-4 does not appear to adequately describe the purpose of the committee’s expenditure. RQL PAC did not file the report (C-4) within 24 hours of presenting the advertisement to the public as required by RCW 42.17.103. RQL PAC filed the C-6 report 154 days late on April 3, 2008, well after the general election.
Mr. Crawford told PDC investigators that he believed the in-kind support his campaign received from RQL PAC was an independent expenditure and not an in-kind contribution so he did not report the contribution as required by law.
After being contacted by the PDC on October 19, 2007 for clarification about the mailers, Ms. Whiting contacted Chad Minnick and asked if the mailers could be converted to Independent Expenditures. Mr. Minnick advised Ms.Whiting that there had been too much coordination between himself and the Crawford and Pike campaigns to convert the mailers to Independent Expenditures. Also, the mailers were already printed and did not have the disclosure required by law for Independent Expenditures. (Please see attached PDC Report of Investigation).
The mailers were delivered to the public between October 29, and November 2, 2007. The Washington Realtors did not cancel or reduce the size of the mailings to ensure the value of the in-kind contributions was limited to $5,000.
I respectfully request that an investigation be conducted to determine if the RQL PAC’s refusal to cancel or reduce the size of the mailings adversely affected the outcome of the November 6, 2007 general election in this race. If the investigation reveals that the RQL PAC violation of the 21 day pre-general $5,000 limitation rule provided the recipient (Mr. Crawford) with an unfair financial advantage over his opponent, I respectfully request that the Attorney General’s Office file a complaint in court on behalf of the citizens of Whatcom County challenging the results of the election.
Daniel V. PikeIn a preliminary PDC Staff Report of Investigation (PDC Case No. 08-102 and PDC Case No. 08-103 (A complaint against Dan Pike), Mr. Pike’s campaign was informed by Mr. Perry Eskridge of the Whatcom Association of Realtors that the RQL PAC had made an in-kind donation to his campaign for $19,038. on October 16, 2007, one day after the last day for making unlimited contributions to local candidates for 2007 candidates. This contribution exceeded the 21 day pre-general maximum $5,000 limit by $14,038.
Mr. Pike’s campaign staff reported telephoning the PDC to request assistance with the invoices on October 19, 2007. The PDC reports that it received a telephone call from Mr. Pike’s staff and advised Pike’s campaign staff based on their description of the donation that the donation was not an in-kind contribution. Later, Ms. Mookherjee, Mr. Pike’s campaign manager, revealed that she discovered a string of e-mails between a campaign volunteer and Mr. Chad Minnick, a campaign consultant for the RQL PAC, coordinating a series of mailers for Mr. Pike’s campaign. She did not report this information to the PDC. Instead, Ms. Mookherjee told PDC interviewers, “I thought there was some internal confusion. I thought, whatever had happened had already happened two weeks ago and I was glad that I had never seen hide or hare of those mailers…” Granted, Ms. Mookherjee may have been oblivious to the campaign activity taking place around her, but in the subsequent PDC investigation, Ms. Mookherjee admitted that she had discovered through a string of e-mails that she had not read, that a campaign staff person did in fact work closely with Mr. Minnick to coordinate the three in-kind mailers, which were almost identical to the mailers sent out by the Pike campaign. I think it’s important to note that Ms. Mookherjee states in her testimony to the PDC that she delegated the job of locating higher resolution photos for the Realtors to a staff person. In other words, in her own words, she does not seem to be as “unaware” of the mailers as she claims to be.On October 19, 2007 and again on November 2, 2007, PDC staff contacted Ms. Whiting regarding the nature of the expenditures. Ms. Whiting advised PDC staff that the mailers were in-kind contributions and stated for the record that the candidates received the notification one day late, on October 16, 2007.
After her telephone conversation with the PDC, Ms. Whiting contacted Chad Minnick and asked if the mailers could be converted to Independent Expenditures, but Mr. Minnick advised her that there had been too much coordination between himself and the Crawford and Pike campaigns to switch the mailers. He also informed her that the mailers had already been printed.
The mailers were delivered to the public between October 29, and November 2, 2007. The Washington Realtors did not cancel or reduce the size of the mailings to ensure the value of the in-kind contributions was limited to $5,000.
Mr. Pike did not report in-kind contributions totaling $19,038 for the 2007 election cycle. Which raises a question – do unreporteed contributions that exceed the 21 day pre-general maximum $5,000 limit have the ability to affect the outcome of an election?
I respectfully request that the PDC conduct an investigation to determine if the RQL PAC’s refusal to cancel or reduce the size of the mailings affected the outcome of the November 6, 2007 general election. If the investigation reveals that the RQL PAC violation of the 21 day pre-general $5,000 limitation rule provided the recipient (Mr. Pike) with an unfair financial advantage over his opponent. I respectfully request that the Attorney General’s Office file a complaint in court on behalf of the citizens of Bellingham challenging the results of the election.
Liz S. Pike
On April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Amendment Schedule A to C-4, an in-kind mailer for Liz Pike paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $4,991.00. Page 3 of the Amendment to Schedule “A” reports two in-kind postage contributions of $984.12 and $959.12 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $6,934.24. Ms. Pike did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle. I do not have information regarding the date Ms. Pike received notification of the in-kind contributions, so I am requesting that the Attorney General ask the PDC to determine if Ms. Pike’s in-kind donation was received after the October 15, before the 21 day $5,000 maximum limitation before the general election kicked in.
James SlowikOn April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Attachment to Schedule A Amendment #100247242, an in-kind mailer for Jim Slowik, paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $2,495.50. Page 2 of the Amendment to Schedule A reports two in-kind/ postage contributions of $986.31 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $3.481.81. It appears that Mr. Slowik did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.
Penny C. SweetOn April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Attachment to Schedule “A” Amendment #100247242, an in-kind mailer for Penny Sweet, paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $3,417.75. Page 2 of the Amendment to Schedule A reports two in-kind/ postage contributions of $2859.13 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $6,276.88. It appears that Ms. Sweet did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.
John TarrantOn 4/3/2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Attachment to Schedule “A” Amendment #100247242, an in-kind mailer for John Tarrant, paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $2,441.25. Page 1 of the Amendment to Schedule “A” reports two in-kind/ postage contributions of $610.38 on page 2 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $3.051.63. It appears that Mr. Tarrant did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.
Robert Van SchoorlOn April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Schedule to C-4 “A” #100247243, an in-kind mailer for Robert Van Schoorl paid for on October 30, 2007 for the amount of $4291.10. The same report lists an in-kind/ postage contribution of $7,671.99 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $11,963.09. It appears that Mr. Van Schoorl did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.I respectfully request that an investigation is conducted to determine if the alleged RQL PAC violation of the 21 day pre-general $5,000 limitation rule provided the recipient (Van Schoorl), with an unfair financial advantage over his opponent. If such a determination is made by the PDC, I respectfully request that the Attorney General’s Office file a complaint in court on behalf of the citizens represented by the Port of Olympia challenging the results of the election.
2007 Candidates that reported RQL PAC In Kind ContributionsIn addition to the candidates above who did not report in-kind contributions; in-kind contributions were reported by candidates David Carson, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Redmond; David Crosby, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Spokane Valley; Larry Farr, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Bellingham; John James, Dayle (Hank) Margeson, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Redmond; Brad Stark, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Spokane; and Lynn Walty, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Lake Stevens.
David CarsonHis treasurer is Karen Howard.Mr. Carson reported receiving in-kind contributions for a mailer $3,472.00 received on October 16, 2007. He also reported in-kind postage of $2,833.84 for an aggregate total of $6,805.84 which appears to exceed the $5,000 maximum contributions allowed by RCW 42.17.105(8) within 21 days of the 2007 general election by $1,805.84David CrosbyMr. Crosby reported receiving in-kind contributions of $8,136.05 on October 10, 2007. The reported date is before the 21 day limitation of $5,000. It appears that Mr. Crosby made a timely report of his in-kind contributions of $8,136.05 from the RQL PAC.
Larry FarrIn a preliminary PDC Staff Report of Investigation (PDC Case No. 08-102 and PDC Case No. 08-103 (A complaint originally filed against Dan Pike), which was subsequently pulled from the PDC website by the PDC; Mr. Farr stated that Chad Minnick had contacted him by phone and informed him that the Realtors wanted to do a mailing. Mr. Farr stated that he e-mailed Mr. Minnick a few photos and his website link. He stated that they also discussed his stance on three talking points. Mr. Farr added that he (Mr. Minnick) mostly took everything off my website. Mr. Farr, like Mr. Crawford and Mr. Pike said he did not know what the mailer looked like until it arrived in his mailbox.
Mr. Farr stated that Mr. Eskridge, the Government Affairs Director for the Whatcom Association of Realtors, contacted him by phone and informed him that he needed to pick up invoices to file for his campaign. Mr. Farr could not recall exactly when he was contacted or when he received the invoices. He stated that he believes he picked them up on the afternoon of October 15th or on the 16th.
Mr. Farr reported the in-kind contributions from the RQL PAC on a C-4 and schedule “B” report. The report was filed October 16, 2007. He stated that he used the dates that appeared on the invoices as the date received because he received the invoices on that date. (See Exhibit 1). It appears Mr. Farr made a timely report for $14,737.64, but it is not clear if he received notification before the 21 day $5,000 limit kicked in. If Mr. Farr did not receive notification until October 16, 2007, he would have received $9,737.64 in contributions that exceed the maximum $5,000 21 day pre-general election limit.John L James
Mr. James reported receiving an in-kind mailer on October 16, 2007, for $2,983.75 and in-kind postage of $1,501.20 for a total of $4,484.95 on October 16, and an aggregate total of $9,984.95 for the 2007 campaign cycle.Dayle (Hank) MargesonMr. Margeson reported receiving an in-kind mailer on October 14, 2007 for $3,572.00 and a fee for the preparation of a mailer of $545.87 plus in-kind postage for mailer for $2,287.97 for an aggregate total of $6,405.84. It appears that Mr. Margeson made a timely report of his in-kind contributions from the RQL PAC.
Lynn E Walty
Lynn Walty reported receiving an in-kind mailer from the RQL PAC on October 14, 2007 for $4,991. Lynn also reported receiving in kind postage for $837.71. Lynn also received in-kind postage for $716.36 (listed on Attachment to Schedule “A” #100247242 but reported on October 11, 2007 as $837.71 for an aggregate total of $6,666.42. It appears that Lynn Walty made a timely report of in-kind contributions of $6,666.42 from the RQL PAC.Randy Ransom
Mr. Ransom reported receiving an in-kind mailer contribution of $2,278.50 and in-kind postage for $753.34 for an aggregate total of $3,031.84. The contribution is dated October 16, 2007 but is under the $5,000 21 day limit. It appears Mr. Ransom made a timely report of in-kind contributions of $3,031.84 from the RQL PAC.
Brad StarkMr. Stark reported a Last Minute Contribution of $11,047.64 on October 15, 2007 from the RQL PAC. It appears that Mr. Stark made a timely report of his in-kind contributions from the RQL PAC, although he may have used the wrong form (LMC) to report the in-kind contribution.
2007 RQL PAC Independent ExpendituresOn April 3, 2008, RQL PAC amended their C-4 Schedule “A” (7 day pre-general) #100232755 to provide the required details of the expenditures made to Minnick & Minnick and IQ Direct. The report identified the benefiting candidates and the amount spent for each. RQL PAC reported the required expenditure details 156 days late.On April 3, 2008, RQL PAC submitted the post general C-4 report covering the period of October 30 through November 30, 2007. This report was due on December 10, 2007 and was filed 115 days late. This C-4 reports $7,228.66 in receipts and $29,644.95 in expenditures for the period. The corresponding Schedule “A” report also listed additional expenditure details for Sam Crawford and Dan Pike.
The amended Attachment to Schedule “A” #100247242 (pg. 2) lists Independent Expenditures for a Doug Mah Mailer for $3,689.00 dated October 16, 2007 and an additional Independent Expenditure dated October 16 for Doug Mah for postage for $3,032.06.The report also lists Independent Expenditures made on behalf of Tim Leavitt, Larry Smith and Dan Tonkovich on October 24, 2007 for $6,879.58 each, contradicting the C-6 form #1588 filed on January 23, 2008, reporting an aggregate total of $4,155.52 spent on behalf of each candidate and postage for the mailers sent out on October 24, 2007 for $862.87 reported only twice, not three times. The amendment appears to add an additional $2,724.06 of expenditures made on behalf of Leavitt, Smith and Tonkovich.The amended Attachment to Schedule “A” #100247242 also lists independent expenditures made on October 24, 2007 to Craig Ottavelli, amending a C-6 filed on November 1, 2007 reporting an independent expenditure for $6,340.37. The amended Schedule “A” to C-4 Amendment #100247242 (pg. 4) lists expenditures of $3,032.06 for postage and $10,524.50 for a mailer for Mr. Ottavelli for a total of $22,729.23. A difference of $16,388.86 originally reported by the RQL PAC on the October 24, 2007 C-6.Other unreported Independent Expenditures listed on Schedule to C-4 “A” Amendment dated April 3, 2007, include an expenditure dated October 16, 2007 to Olympic View Publishing (Shelton Roads Newspaper Ad) for $1,891, and a second Newspaper Ad with The News Tribune for $4,589.55 reported as a Prop 1 independent expenditure dated October 24, 2007.
RQL PAC filed an amended Attachment to Schedule “A” #100247242, amending C-6 #1592 on April 3, 2008 listing additional Independent Expenditures made to John Zambrano, Michelle Robles and Laura Sonmore, three Mount Lake Terrace City Council candidates in the amount of $2,238.91 each. The original C-6, #1592, dated October 25, 2007 listed expenditures of $1,119.47 per candidate, a difference of $1,119.44 per candidate.
The Honorable Robert M. McKennaAttorney General of Washington1125 Washington Street, S.E.PO Box 40100Olympia, WA 98504
Re: Citizen Action Letter (RCW 42.17.400(4)Liz Aspen, 2007 Campaign for City Council of WoodinvilleSam Crawford, 2007 Campaign for County Council of Whatcom CountyLiz S. Pike, 2007 Campaign for Mayor of CamasDaniel V. Pike, 2007 Campaign for Mayor of BellinghamJames Slowick, 2007 Campaign for Mayor of Oak HarborPenny Sweet, 2007 Campaign for City Council of KirklandJohn Tarrant, 2007 Campaign for Mayor of SheltonRobert A.Van Schoorl, 2007 Campaign for Port Commissioner of OlympiaDear Attorney General McKenna:
The Washington State Realtors supported several candidates throughout Washington State during the 2007 election cycle.
This letter concerns the alleged failure of Lizbeth Aspen, a 2007 candidate for City Council of Woodinville; Sam Crawford, a 2007 candidate for Whatcom County Council; Daniel V. Pike, a 2007 candidate for Mayor of City of Bellingham; Liz S. Pike, a 2007 candidate for Mayor of Camas; James Slowik, candidate for Mayor of City of Oak Harbor; Penny Sweet, a 2007 candidate for City Council of Kirkland; John Tarrant, 2007 candidate for Mayor of City of Shelton; and Robert A. Van Schoorl, a candidate for Port Commissioner of Olympia, to file timely, accurate and complete campaign finance reports with the Public Disclosure Commission, and/or comply with other provisions of Washington state’s campaign laws under 42.17.
I’m sending this written notification pursuant to the citizen action provisions of RCW 42.17.400(4) to inform you that I regrettably have reason to believe that Ms. Aspen, Mr. Crawford, Ms. Pike, Mr. Pike, Mr. Slowik, Ms. Sweet, Mr. Tarrant and Mr. Van Schoorl may have violated numerous provisions of Chapter 42.17 RCW as set forth herein. The failure to report RQL PAC contributions violates the public’s right to know the source of all campaign donations before an election.
According to the Public Disclosure Commission, the Public Disclosure Law relies on the antiseptic qualities of “sunshine” and several prohibitions to assure citizens of Washington that governmental systems and individuals who operate within it are open and honest. Before deciding which candidate, ballot proposal or pending legislation deserves support, the law provides citizens with an in-depth look at who is financing a campaign or has hired lobbyists. In addition, monitoring efforts of concerned citizens, special interest groups, media and Public Disclosure Commission assures compliance with the law.”By concealing, neglecting or refusing to report the source of RQL PAC in-kind donations, the following candidates appear to have violated the public’s trust and RCW 42.17.010(10) “The public’s right to know of the financing of political campaigns and lobbying and the financial affairs of elected officials and candidates far outweighs any right that these matters remain secret and private.”
Regrettably, my investigation has also revealed that the Realtors Quality of Life PAC (a political committee of the Washington Association of Realtors) may have also violated RCW 42.17 on multiple occasions.
Specifically, RCW 42.17.090 and WAC 390-16-037 — RQL PAC fails to itemize in-kind contribution expenditures totaling $66,651.49 benefiting Liz Aspen, Sam Crawford, Liz. Pike, Daniel Pike, James Slowik, Penny Sweet, John Tarrant and Robert Van Schoorl on schedule “A” to the C-4 report (7) day pre-general election C-4 report.RCW 42.17.105(8) by allegedly making in-kind contributions in excess of $5,000 to Sam Crawford, Dan Pike, Liz Pike, Penny Sweet, and Robert Van Schoorl, within 21 days of the 2007 general election.
RCW 42.17.103 — Within 21 days of an election, the sponsor of political advertising who publishes, mails, or otherwise presents to the public political advertising supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition that qualifies as an independent expenditure with a fair market value of $1,000 or more is required to file a special report with the Commission of the PDC. (PDC form C-6) within 24 hours of the date the advertising is first published, mailed, or otherwise presented to the public.
The RQL PAC may have violated RCW 43.17.103 by failing to timely file a C-6 report of independent expenditures for $10,000 for a television ad that supported Sam Crawford, a 2007 candidate for Whatcom County Council. It appears that the RQL PAC did not file accurate or timely independent expenditure reports on behalf of Craig Ottavelli, a 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Olympia; and that the RQL may have also filed incorrect figures for independent expenditures made on behalf of John Zambrano, Michelle Robles and Laura Sonmore in a C-6 report #1592 filed on October 25, 2007. In regards to Zambrano, Robles and Sonmore, the C-6 lists the expenditures as $1,119.47 per candidate and the amended Attachment to Schedule #100247242 lists additional independent expenditures of $4,991.00 or $1663.66 (pg. 4) for each candidate. The Attachment to Schedule “A” also reports independent expenditures for postage for $862.87 and $862.87 for an aggregate total of $6,716.74. It is not apparent if the mailers were prepared separately for each candidate or if the mailer included all three candidates.I respectfully request that the PDC make inquiries to determine what kind of mailer was prepared on behalf of 2007 City Council candidates Zambrano, Robles and Sonmore to determine if all expenditures were reported to the PDC.
Unreported 2007 In-Kind RQL PAC ContributionsLizbeth R. AspenOn April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Attachment to Schedule “A” Amendment #100247242, an in-kind mailer for Lizbeth Aspen, paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $2,278.50. Page 2 of the Amendment to Schedule “A” reports two in-kind/ postage contributions of $753.34 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $3,031.84. Ms. Aspen did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.
In Whatcom County alone, RQL PAC failed to itemize in-kind contribution expenditures totaling $46,650 on seven direct mail political advertising pieces supporting 2007 candidates Sam Crawford, Larry Farr and Daniel Pike. The support was an in-kind contribution to each candidate – $12,874 for Crawford, $14,738 for Farr and $19,038 for Pike. The mailers were delivered to voters during the week of October 29 to November 2, 2007.
After receiving a telephone call on October 19, 2007 from a member of Dan Pike’s campaign staff, The PDC contacted the Realtors on October 19, 2007 to verify if the contributions were “in-kind” or “independent expenditures”. Mr. Wahl and Ms. Whiting of the Realtors and the Realtors Quality of Life Pac all agreed that the expenditures were in-kind contributions to the candidates supported.
Only Larry Farr reported the expenditures as instructed by the RQL PAC. The two in-kind contributions to Crawford and Pike totaled $31,913 and exceeded the maximum contributions allowed by RCW 42.17.105(8) within 21 days of the 2007 general election by $21,913. In local races, it is not unreasonable to question if the portion of the contributions that exceeded the 21 day pre-general maximum $5,000 contribution limit adversely affected the outcome of the election to the benefit of the recipients of the contributions.
Our Public Disclosure laws exist to create a level playing field for all of Washington’s candidates. When a candidate(s) violates the law, opponents who are playing by the rules are placed at a disadvantage. Sometimes, the “disadvantage” is significant enough to produce a change in the outcome of an election.
Sam CrawfordMr. Crawford allegedly was notified that the RQL PAC had made an in-kind contribution totaling $12,875 on October 16, 2007; $7,875 over the 21 day pre-general $5,000 maximum limit.
Mr. Crawford, an incumbent candidate for Whatcom County Council received two separate mailing pieces and an independent expenditure television advertisement worth an additional $10,000. RQL PAC presented the ad to the public on October 31, 2007. RQL PAC reported the ad on its 7 day pre-general election C-4 report, but the Schedule A to the C-4 does not appear to adequately describe the purpose of the committee’s expenditure. RQL PAC did not file the report (C-4) within 24 hours of presenting the advertisement to the public as required by RCW 42.17.103. RQL PAC filed the C-6 report 154 days late on April 3, 2008, well after the general election.
Mr. Crawford told PDC investigators that he believed the in-kind support his campaign received from RQL PAC was an independent expenditure and not an in-kind contribution so he did not report the contribution as required by law.
After being contacted by the PDC on October 19, 2007 for clarification about the mailers, Ms. Whiting contacted Chad Minnick and asked if the mailers could be converted to Independent Expenditures. Mr. Minnick advised Ms.Whiting that there had been too much coordination between himself and the Crawford and Pike campaigns to convert the mailers to Independent Expenditures. Also, the mailers were already printed and did not have the disclosure required by law for Independent Expenditures. (Please see attached PDC Report of Investigation).
The mailers were delivered to the public between October 29, and November 2, 2007. The Washington Realtors did not cancel or reduce the size of the mailings to ensure the value of the in-kind contributions was limited to $5,000.
I respectfully request that an investigation be conducted to determine if the RQL PAC’s refusal to cancel or reduce the size of the mailings adversely affected the outcome of the November 6, 2007 general election in this race. If the investigation reveals that the RQL PAC violation of the 21 day pre-general $5,000 limitation rule provided the recipient (Mr. Crawford) with an unfair financial advantage over his opponent, I respectfully request that the Attorney General’s Office file a complaint in court on behalf of the citizens of Whatcom County challenging the results of the election.
Daniel V. PikeIn a preliminary PDC Staff Report of Investigation (PDC Case No. 08-102 and PDC Case No. 08-103 (A complaint against Dan Pike), Mr. Pike’s campaign was informed by Mr. Perry Eskridge of the Whatcom Association of Realtors that the RQL PAC had made an in-kind donation to his campaign for $19,038. on October 16, 2007, one day after the last day for making unlimited contributions to local candidates for 2007 candidates. This contribution exceeded the 21 day pre-general maximum $5,000 limit by $14,038.
Mr. Pike’s campaign staff reported telephoning the PDC to request assistance with the invoices on October 19, 2007. The PDC reports that it received a telephone call from Mr. Pike’s staff and advised Pike’s campaign staff based on their description of the donation that the donation was not an in-kind contribution. Later, Ms. Mookherjee, Mr. Pike’s campaign manager, revealed that she discovered a string of e-mails between a campaign volunteer and Mr. Chad Minnick, a campaign consultant for the RQL PAC, coordinating a series of mailers for Mr. Pike’s campaign. She did not report this information to the PDC. Instead, Ms. Mookherjee told PDC interviewers, “I thought there was some internal confusion. I thought, whatever had happened had already happened two weeks ago and I was glad that I had never seen hide or hare of those mailers…” Granted, Ms. Mookherjee may have been oblivious to the campaign activity taking place around her, but in the subsequent PDC investigation, Ms. Mookherjee admitted that she had discovered through a string of e-mails that she had not read, that a campaign staff person did in fact work closely with Mr. Minnick to coordinate the three in-kind mailers, which were almost identical to the mailers sent out by the Pike campaign. I think it’s important to note that Ms. Mookherjee states in her testimony to the PDC that she delegated the job of locating higher resolution photos for the Realtors to a staff person. In other words, in her own words, she does not seem to be as “unaware” of the mailers as she claims to be.On October 19, 2007 and again on November 2, 2007, PDC staff contacted Ms. Whiting regarding the nature of the expenditures. Ms. Whiting advised PDC staff that the mailers were in-kind contributions and stated for the record that the candidates received the notification one day late, on October 16, 2007.
After her telephone conversation with the PDC, Ms. Whiting contacted Chad Minnick and asked if the mailers could be converted to Independent Expenditures, but Mr. Minnick advised her that there had been too much coordination between himself and the Crawford and Pike campaigns to switch the mailers. He also informed her that the mailers had already been printed.
The mailers were delivered to the public between October 29, and November 2, 2007. The Washington Realtors did not cancel or reduce the size of the mailings to ensure the value of the in-kind contributions was limited to $5,000.
Mr. Pike did not report in-kind contributions totaling $19,038 for the 2007 election cycle. Which raises a question – do unreporteed contributions that exceed the 21 day pre-general maximum $5,000 limit have the ability to affect the outcome of an election?
I respectfully request that the PDC conduct an investigation to determine if the RQL PAC’s refusal to cancel or reduce the size of the mailings affected the outcome of the November 6, 2007 general election. If the investigation reveals that the RQL PAC violation of the 21 day pre-general $5,000 limitation rule provided the recipient (Mr. Pike) with an unfair financial advantage over his opponent. I respectfully request that the Attorney General’s Office file a complaint in court on behalf of the citizens of Bellingham challenging the results of the election.
Liz S. Pike
On April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Amendment Schedule A to C-4, an in-kind mailer for Liz Pike paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $4,991.00. Page 3 of the Amendment to Schedule “A” reports two in-kind postage contributions of $984.12 and $959.12 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $6,934.24. Ms. Pike did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle. I do not have information regarding the date Ms. Pike received notification of the in-kind contributions, so I am requesting that the Attorney General ask the PDC to determine if Ms. Pike’s in-kind donation was received after the October 15, before the 21 day $5,000 maximum limitation before the general election kicked in.
James SlowikOn April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Attachment to Schedule A Amendment #100247242, an in-kind mailer for Jim Slowik, paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $2,495.50. Page 2 of the Amendment to Schedule A reports two in-kind/ postage contributions of $986.31 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $3.481.81. It appears that Mr. Slowik did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.
Penny C. SweetOn April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Attachment to Schedule “A” Amendment #100247242, an in-kind mailer for Penny Sweet, paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $3,417.75. Page 2 of the Amendment to Schedule A reports two in-kind/ postage contributions of $2859.13 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $6,276.88. It appears that Ms. Sweet did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.
John TarrantOn 4/3/2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Attachment to Schedule “A” Amendment #100247242, an in-kind mailer for John Tarrant, paid for on October 15, 2007 for the amount of $2,441.25. Page 1 of the Amendment to Schedule “A” reports two in-kind/ postage contributions of $610.38 on page 2 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $3.051.63. It appears that Mr. Tarrant did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.
Robert Van SchoorlOn April 3, 2008, the Realtors Quality of Life PAC reported on Schedule to C-4 “A” #100247243, an in-kind mailer for Robert Van Schoorl paid for on October 30, 2007 for the amount of $4291.10. The same report lists an in-kind/ postage contribution of $7,671.99 paid on October 16, 2007 for a total of $11,963.09. It appears that Mr. Van Schoorl did not file a report for the mailers or in-kind postage during the 2007 election cycle.I respectfully request that an investigation is conducted to determine if the alleged RQL PAC violation of the 21 day pre-general $5,000 limitation rule provided the recipient (Van Schoorl), with an unfair financial advantage over his opponent. If such a determination is made by the PDC, I respectfully request that the Attorney General’s Office file a complaint in court on behalf of the citizens represented by the Port of Olympia challenging the results of the election.
2007 Candidates that reported RQL PAC In Kind ContributionsIn addition to the candidates above who did not report in-kind contributions; in-kind contributions were reported by candidates David Carson, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Redmond; David Crosby, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Spokane Valley; Larry Farr, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Bellingham; John James, Dayle (Hank) Margeson, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Redmond; Brad Stark, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Spokane; and Lynn Walty, 2007 candidate for City Council, City of Lake Stevens.
David CarsonHis treasurer is Karen Howard.Mr. Carson reported receiving in-kind contributions for a mailer $3,472.00 received on October 16, 2007. He also reported in-kind postage of $2,833.84 for an aggregate total of $6,805.84 which appears to exceed the $5,000 maximum contributions allowed by RCW 42.17.105(8) within 21 days of the 2007 general election by $1,805.84David CrosbyMr. Crosby reported receiving in-kind contributions of $8,136.05 on October 10, 2007. The reported date is before the 21 day limitation of $5,000. It appears that Mr. Crosby made a timely report of his in-kind contributions of $8,136.05 from the RQL PAC.
Larry FarrIn a preliminary PDC Staff Report of Investigation (PDC Case No. 08-102 and PDC Case No. 08-103 (A complaint originally filed against Dan Pike), which was subsequently pulled from the PDC website by the PDC; Mr. Farr stated that Chad Minnick had contacted him by phone and informed him that the Realtors wanted to do a mailing. Mr. Farr stated that he e-mailed Mr. Minnick a few photos and his website link. He stated that they also discussed his stance on three talking points. Mr. Farr added that he (Mr. Minnick) mostly took everything off my website. Mr. Farr, like Mr. Crawford and Mr. Pike said he did not know what the mailer looked like until it arrived in his mailbox.
Mr. Farr stated that Mr. Eskridge, the Government Affairs Director for the Whatcom Association of Realtors, contacted him by phone and informed him that he needed to pick up invoices to file for his campaign. Mr. Farr could not recall exactly when he was contacted or when he received the invoices. He stated that he believes he picked them up on the afternoon of October 15th or on the 16th.
Mr. Farr reported the in-kind contributions from the RQL PAC on a C-4 and schedule “B” report. The report was filed October 16, 2007. He stated that he used the dates that appeared on the invoices as the date received because he received the invoices on that date. (See Exhibit 1). It appears Mr. Farr made a timely report for $14,737.64, but it is not clear if he received notification before the 21 day $5,000 limit kicked in. If Mr. Farr did not receive notification until October 16, 2007, he would have received $9,737.64 in contributions that exceed the maximum $5,000 21 day pre-general election limit.John L James
Mr. James reported receiving an in-kind mailer on October 16, 2007, for $2,983.75 and in-kind postage of $1,501.20 for a total of $4,484.95 on October 16, and an aggregate total of $9,984.95 for the 2007 campaign cycle.Dayle (Hank) MargesonMr. Margeson reported receiving an in-kind mailer on October 14, 2007 for $3,572.00 and a fee for the preparation of a mailer of $545.87 plus in-kind postage for mailer for $2,287.97 for an aggregate total of $6,405.84. It appears that Mr. Margeson made a timely report of his in-kind contributions from the RQL PAC.
Lynn E Walty
Lynn Walty reported receiving an in-kind mailer from the RQL PAC on October 14, 2007 for $4,991. Lynn also reported receiving in kind postage for $837.71. Lynn also received in-kind postage for $716.36 (listed on Attachment to Schedule “A” #100247242 but reported on October 11, 2007 as $837.71 for an aggregate total of $6,666.42. It appears that Lynn Walty made a timely report of in-kind contributions of $6,666.42 from the RQL PAC.Randy Ransom
Mr. Ransom reported receiving an in-kind mailer contribution of $2,278.50 and in-kind postage for $753.34 for an aggregate total of $3,031.84. The contribution is dated October 16, 2007 but is under the $5,000 21 day limit. It appears Mr. Ransom made a timely report of in-kind contributions of $3,031.84 from the RQL PAC.
Brad StarkMr. Stark reported a Last Minute Contribution of $11,047.64 on October 15, 2007 from the RQL PAC. It appears that Mr. Stark made a timely report of his in-kind contributions from the RQL PAC, although he may have used the wrong form (LMC) to report the in-kind contribution.
2007 RQL PAC Independent ExpendituresOn April 3, 2008, RQL PAC amended their C-4 Schedule “A” (7 day pre-general) #100232755 to provide the required details of the expenditures made to Minnick & Minnick and IQ Direct. The report identified the benefiting candidates and the amount spent for each. RQL PAC reported the required expenditure details 156 days late.On April 3, 2008, RQL PAC submitted the post general C-4 report covering the period of October 30 through November 30, 2007. This report was due on December 10, 2007 and was filed 115 days late. This C-4 reports $7,228.66 in receipts and $29,644.95 in expenditures for the period. The corresponding Schedule “A” report also listed additional expenditure details for Sam Crawford and Dan Pike.
The amended Attachment to Schedule “A” #100247242 (pg. 2) lists Independent Expenditures for a Doug Mah Mailer for $3,689.00 dated October 16, 2007 and an additional Independent Expenditure dated October 16 for Doug Mah for postage for $3,032.06.The report also lists Independent Expenditures made on behalf of Tim Leavitt, Larry Smith and Dan Tonkovich on October 24, 2007 for $6,879.58 each, contradicting the C-6 form #1588 filed on January 23, 2008, reporting an aggregate total of $4,155.52 spent on behalf of each candidate and postage for the mailers sent out on October 24, 2007 for $862.87 reported only twice, not three times. The amendment appears to add an additional $2,724.06 of expenditures made on behalf of Leavitt, Smith and Tonkovich.The amended Attachment to Schedule “A” #100247242 also lists independent expenditures made on October 24, 2007 to Craig Ottavelli, amending a C-6 filed on November 1, 2007 reporting an independent expenditure for $6,340.37. The amended Schedule “A” to C-4 Amendment #100247242 (pg. 4) lists expenditures of $3,032.06 for postage and $10,524.50 for a mailer for Mr. Ottavelli for a total of $22,729.23. A difference of $16,388.86 originally reported by the RQL PAC on the October 24, 2007 C-6.Other unreported Independent Expenditures listed on Schedule to C-4 “A” Amendment dated April 3, 2007, include an expenditure dated October 16, 2007 to Olympic View Publishing (Shelton Roads Newspaper Ad) for $1,891, and a second Newspaper Ad with The News Tribune for $4,589.55 reported as a Prop 1 independent expenditure dated October 24, 2007.
RQL PAC filed an amended Attachment to Schedule “A” #100247242, amending C-6 #1592 on April 3, 2008 listing additional Independent Expenditures made to John Zambrano, Michelle Robles and Laura Sonmore, three Mount Lake Terrace City Council candidates in the amount of $2,238.91 each. The original C-6, #1592, dated October 25, 2007 listed expenditures of $1,119.47 per candidate, a difference of $1,119.44 per candidate.
Transparency in campaign reporting is essential if citizens are to make informed decisions about the source of candidate contributions and expenditures during an election. Regrettably, the citizens of the state of Washington can not have open, fair elections when political organizations and candidates fail to file timely contribution and expenditure reports.
If enforcement action is not commenced by filing a civil action in court in the name of the state of Washington within 45 days of your receipt of this written notification, I reserve my right under RCW 42.17.400(4) to give a second written notification that I will commence a citizen’s action in the name of the state of Washington over these matters if there has been further failure to so act within 10 days of the receipt of such second written notification, and thereafter commence a citizen action on my own initiative in the name of the state of Washington over these matters.
I am also forwarding a copy of this citizen action letter to the Thurston County Prosecuting attorney, where the Realtors Quality of Life Pac is located and reports are to be filed.Thank you for your careful attention to this matter.Sincerely,
XXXXX
Attachments: PDC Investigative Report and PDC Candidate filingsI declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that the above and foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.Signed at __________________, on May 31, 2007.
_____________________
cc:Ms. Vicki RippieExecutive DirectorPublic Disclosure Commission711 Capitol Way, Room 206Olympia, WA 98504The Honorable Greg BanksIsland County ProsecutorP.O. Box 5000Coupeville, WA 98239Fax: (360) 240-5566http://us.mc336.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ICPAO_Webmaster@co.island.wa.usThe Honorable Gary BurlesonMason County ProsecutorP O Box 639Shelton WA 98584Honorable Art CurtisClark County Prosecuting AttorneyP.O. Box 5000Vancouver, WA 98666Fax (360) 397-2230Honorable Edward G. HolmThurston County Prosecuting Attorney2000 Lakeridge Drive, S.W. #2Olympia, WA 98502Fax (360) 754-3358http://us.mc336.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=prosecutorsoffice@co.thurston.wa.usHonorable David Mc Eachran Whatcom County Prosecuting AttorneyCourthouse Suite 201311 Grand AvenueBellingham, WA 98225Honorable Dan SatterburgKing County Prosecuting Attorney516 Third Avenue, Room W-554Seattle, WA 98104Fax (206) 296-9013
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Newspaper interview
Daniel Venus Pike Docs 