Sun sets in Pacific: Early vote count indicates Mayor Cy is out
Jun 26, 2013, 5:36 AM | Updated: 6:06 am
Mayor Cy Sun (left) fought the recall effort all the way to the state supreme court, but the high court allowed it to go forward. (Image courtesy the City of Pacific)
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The early numbers don’t look good for Pacific Mayor Cy Sun. Sixty-seven percent of voters are calling for his removal after just 18 months in office.
King County elections workers have hand-counted about 1,200 ballots, and barring a major miracle, Mayor Cy Sun will be kicked out of office.
“Looks like we’re going to get our city back,” Pacific City Council President Leanne Guier said moments after the first election results were posted. “I couldn’t be prouder of the citizens out here in Pacific.”
Tracey Apata started the recall effort last summer when the city’s insurance carrier threatened to drop its policy because Mayor Sun was making the city too risky to cover. Mayor Sun’s firing of department heads and police officers led to more than $10 million in lawsuits against the city. Mayor Sun fought the recall effort all the way to the state supreme court, but the high court allowed it to go forward.
“It’s an amazing feat just to be able to put that ballot in front of the people and put the power back in their hands but even more amazing to remove him from office so we can start to repair the damage to our city,” Apata said.
There are nearly 3,000 registered voters in Pacific, which is a town of about 6,800. More than 1,000 ballots have been counted. The election won’t be certified until July 9, and if the results continue the way they are going that will be Mayor Sun’s final day in office.
The city council will then decide on a new mayor from its ranks and move forward.
