KTTH

Report: Pierce County to drop lawsuit against Gig Harbor activist

Mar 10, 2015, 2:47 PM | Updated: Oct 14, 2024, 9:36 am

Jerry Gibbs, the founder of Citizens for Responsible Spending, wants Pierce County residents to hav...

Jerry Gibbs, the founder of Citizens for Responsible Spending, wants Pierce County residents to have a say in a new county building project. (Image courtesy Pierce County/Wright Runstad & Company rendering)

(Image courtesy Pierce County/Wright Runstad & Company rendering)

UPDATE Tuesday night: Pierce County will drop a lawsuit against a Gig Harbor activist, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. The suit was reportedly filed on Feb. 27 against Jerry Gibbs for County Executive Pat McCarthy, who wants to keep the project on schedule.

—Original story—

A Pierce County resident says the county is suing him for trying to put a new administration building project up to a vote of the people.

“I’m just exercising my rights as spelled out in the county charter,” Jerry Gibbs, the founder of Citizens for Responsible Spending, told 770 KTTH host David Boze. “It’s very clear. It’s very simple, any ordinance, a citizen, a legal voter in the county can file a referendum and take that issue to the voters.”

Related: Listen to Jerry Gibbs’ full interview

In February, the Pierce County Council voted 4-3 to move forward with a $127 million project for a new county building to bring together 19 departments and divisions that are currently scattered in 14 locations.

Councilmembers in support of the project have said the consolidation will save the county in staffing and lease payments.

“This business plan will save taxpayers millions of dollars in leases, staffing and maintenance costs,” said Councilmember Rick Talbert, who represents the area in Tacoma’s South End where the new campus would be built. “We have carefully analyzed current and future costs, asset values, risk, and more. An independent consultant verified our staff savings through consolidation. This pencils out in the taxpayers’ interest.”

One of the councilmembers opposed to the project explained he had concerns over the projects’ funding being dependent, in part, on staff size.

“In order to make the mortgage payments, 38.1 jobs would have to stay eliminated for the duration of the mortgage, and we can’t promise that future councils and executives would adhere to that,” Councilmember Dan Roach said. “I sincerely hope I’m proven wrong and everything works out for the best, but I couldn’t, in good conscience, ask our taxpayers to shoulder that risk. I wouldn’t make that commitment with my own money, and I don’t think we should make it with their money either.”

Gibbs said on the night the county voted on the project, there was a motion to send it to voters, but it didn’t get a second from any councilmembers. This raised his suspicions.

“That told me that they didn’t want this to be voted on by the people because there are problems with their plan.”

He wants voters in Pierce County to have the opportunity to have a say in the project. Gibbs hoped to collect enough signatures to get the issue on the November ballot. But county officials apparently have other ideas.

Gibbs told Boze he’s never been sued before and is in a position where he’ll be covering his own legal costs.

“I’m law abiding. I pay my taxes. I’m a veteran. But when you start getting sued by the county, you have no choice but to go lawyer up,” Gibbs said. “I’ve done that at my own expense by dipping into my 401K to pay for it. I hope that I can recoup some of those legal costs.”

At least one county official disagrees with the decision to sue Gibbs. Councilmember Dan Roach has authored a resolution asking that the lawsuit be dropped.

“The Pierce County charter was written by the citizens and broad provisions were given to ensure that they could participate in the process,” Roach said in a statement. “The right to file a referendum is clearly spelled out. Suing a citizen because they simply chose to exercise their rights is wrong. I will defend the citizens’ right to speak up without fear of retaliation all day long.”

KTTH

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Should movie theaters post times when a movie REALLY starts?

A Connecticut Senator wants to pass a law that makes theaters post the actual time a movie will start… not when the trailers start. Jason Rantz thinks this is the dumbest idea. However, if he never had to see Maria Menounos again, he’d be fine. It’s a Double Shot.☕☕ Listen to The Jason Rantz Show […]

5 hours ago

seattle murder...

MyNorthwest Staff

Brutal Seattle murder case dismissed as suspect incompetent to stand trial

A judge dismisses a brutal Seattle murder case against a suspect with a lengthy criminal record, citing incompetence to stand trial. What’s next?

12 hours ago

a king county sheriff's deputy in uniform...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Deputies livid as King County Captain posts virulently anti-Trump post

A King County Sheriff's Office Captain is upsetting deputies with his virulently anti-Trump social media post.

15 hours ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Are Democrats serious about taxing cow flatulence?

Washington Democrats are pursuing a cow flatulence tax with a preposterous bill that would hurt local farmers. You read that right… it’s a fart tax… it’s also another Double Shot.☕☕ Listen to The Jason Rantz Show weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand wherever you listen to podcast Listen […]

1 day ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: UW hosts antisemitic rally celebrating terrorist leader?

The University of Washington (UW) campus hosted another virulently antisemitic hate rally and march. This time, students celebrated Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel. Since the UW antisemitism crisis is not being taken seriously on campus, the Trump administration must move swiftly to investigate and, if appropriate, sanction. Listen […]

1 day ago

trans athletes...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Washington superintendent Chris Reykdal declares war on female athletes

Washington superintendent Chris Reykdal goes to war with women and the Trump administration over trans athletes.

2 days ago

Report: Pierce County to drop lawsuit against Gig Harbor activist