Monroe's officials unanimously vote to sue their own citizens, rather than listen to them

Instead of following in the footsteps of Mukilteo's officials, who unanimously voted last year to let its citizens vote on an identical red-light camera initiative, Monroe's officials last night unanimously voted to sue their own citizens, rather than listen to them. Mukilteo's 2010 decision to side with its citizens was backed up every step of the way by the lower court and high court. So Monroe could have done what Mukilteo did. And that's certainly what we expected last night, especially with two-thirds of active voters in Monroe signing petitions. Monroe Initiative No. 1 "LET THE VOTERS DECIDE ON AUTOMATIC TICKETING CAMERAS IN MONROE" was certified on Friday.



But the 71% vote against the cameras in Mukilteo last year apparently taught Monroe's officials a valuable lesson: if there's a vote, they will lose. So blocking a public vote was absolutely essential because a losing vote meant sacrificing the millions of dollars they want to get from those very profitable ticketing cameras.

It's always been about the money, and this just proves it again.



Before the vote last night during open comment period, I read my Everett Herald column highlighting how Mukilteo's officials dealt with our initiative last year and how the courts OK'd their decision. But the seven members of the Monroe City Council ignored Mukilteo's unprofitable example and voted to empower the mayor to sue in Snohomish County Superior Court. The law (RCW 35.17.260) required them to either adopt the initiative 'as is' or put it on the ballot. Instead, they are going to pay their taxpayer-funded lawyers to file a lawsuit seeking INJUNCTIVE AND DECLARATORY JUDGEMENT against the initiative. But before they voted, I handed out a copy of last year's ruling by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Michael Downes denying that exact same motion when the red-light camera company sued Mukilteo.



Last night, the citizens of Monroe were disregarded by their elected officials. The politicians claimed they had no choice, but that's not true (RE: Mukilteo). It is simply paternalistic and condescending to prevent a vote because of concern that the people will vote 'wrong.' We have no problem with Monroe's officials encouraging people to vote against the initiative, but we take great offense with them preventing the people from voting to 'protect' them from themselves.



This is the first initiative in Monroe city history qualifying with two-thirds of active voters' support. Rather than celebrating that extraordinary achievement, Monroe's officials dismissed it. It is a horrible travesty.

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Tim Eyman served as an adviser to Ty Balascio and Seeds of Liberty on Monroe Initiative No. 1. Balascio can be reached at 425-610-8154 or ty@seedsofliberty.org. For more information, visit BanCams.com.