The time has come for Pacific voters to decide whether to recall Mayor Cy Sun.
The King County Department of Elections recently mailed 2,943 ballots out to registered voters in the city, asking them to decide whether to remove Sun from office for allegedly committing malfeasance and violating his oath of office.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by June 25 to be counted and drop-offs must be received by 8 p.m. June 25.
According to the Committee to Recall Cy Sun’s ballot statement, the mayor allegedly attempted to use Pacific officers as his personal police force and put the City’s liability insurance at risk by failing to properly fill vacant city staff openings.
In his opposing argument, Sun claims he “continues to fight against entrenched corruption in the City of Pacific,” and he directed Pacific police officers to investigate a prior misuse of police resources.
Sun added that the city council has repeatedly blocked his candidates for department heads and that there was no lapse in the city’s liability insurance.
Ballots may be turned in at the 24-hour, King County Elections Department, 919 SW Grady Way, Renton.
A mobile drop box van will be stationed at the Algona-Pacific library branch, 255 Ellingson Road, Pacific, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday.
More information can be found at King County Web site or by calling 206-296-VOTE (8083). Voters may also request a new ballot by mail.
A simple majority is needed to recall Sun. Results should be certified by July 9.
If Pacific voters approve the recall of Sun, he will step down immediately. The City Council is expected to name Mayor Pro Tem James McMahan as mayor until a special meeting can be scheduled to decide who will serve the remainder of Sun’s term.
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Ballot Synopsis of Recall Charges Against Mayor Cy Sun, City of Pacific
“The charges made by King County registered voter Donald Thomson against Cy Sun, Mayor of the City of Pacific, allege Mayor Sun committed misfeasance in office, malfeasance in office and/or violated his oath of office by:
1. Directing Pacific police department officers to operate as his personal police force in conducting a criminal investigation into the identity of those responsible for distributing negative information and allegations about him concerning his Echo, Oregon property, which is outside of their jurisdiction;
2. Jeopardizing the City’s liability insurance coverage by not filling vacant department head positions.
Should Mayor Sun be recalled from office based on any of these allegations?”
“Cy Sun, Mayor of the City of Pacific, refutes these allegations as follows:
1. Mayor Sun continues to fight against entrenched corruption in the City of Pacific. As part of his efforts, Mayor Sun directed Pacific police officers to investigate what was a prior misuse of police resources, specifically requesting an explanation as to why officers had previously travelled outside of their jurisdiction to Oregon when not directed or approved to do so.
2. Mayor Sun proposed candidates for department head positions that were rejected by the City Council. The City obtained insurance and there was no lapse in liability coverage.”
