As expected, election races for SeaTac City Council positions and the city's elected-mayor proposition are heated.

During public comments at the Sept. 13 city council meeting, former candidate Othman Heibe accused Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher of violating the state code of ethics by using public resources to support a candidate or proposition.

Heibe said an email was sent to SeaTac Councilwoman Mia Gregerson and King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson, a SeaTac resident, accusing Gregerson and Patterson of using Heibe as a "pawn." The email indicated it was sent by SeaTac Citizens for Truth.

The email indicated that a copy was sent to state Republican Party chairman Kirby Wilbur. However, Wilbur told the Times/News that he does not recall receiving it.

The email's subject line was "SeaTac Sets the Battleground for the Republican and Democratic Parties." Wilbur noted that the state Republican Party does not plan to put many resources into the SeaTac area.

He added Democratic Party legislators are firmly entrenched in the 33rd District, which serves SeaTac.

SeaTac City Council positions are nonpartisan.

A Word document attached to the email appears to be from Heibe's campaign materials accusing Planning Commissioner Daryl Tapio of planning to close down Bow Lake Mobile Homes Park. The material also says Tapio is heavily funding the campaign for the elected mayor proposition.

Heibe said the attachment was revealed to having been sent by Fisher using a city computer.

Heibe requested the city form an ethics committee to investigate the charge.

Later in the meeting, Fisher said he hasn't used a city-owned computer in several months because he expected unfounded accusations such as Heibe's would surface during the campaign. He denied writing the email and said he "wouldn't be stupid enough to add my name to the attachment."

Fisher joked that if he had sent such an email or attachment he would have used a library computer, not a city-owned computer.

Contacted later, Heibe insisted the attachment indicated Fisher wrote it using a city computer.

"It is up to the city of SeaTac to explain how it happened," Heibe said. "Software doesn't lie."

Heibe finished third in a primary race against Mayor Terry Anderson and Sandra Cook-Bensley. Anderson and Cook-Bensley will face each other in the November general election.

Former Councilman Barry Landenberg is running against Fisher in the general election. Gregerson's opponent is Erin Sitterley. Dave Bush and Michael Kovacs oppose each other for Councilman Ralph Shape's seat. Shape is not seeking re-election.

Tapio, a developer, has denied trying to close the mobile home and says he has not contributed money to the campaign for an elected mayor.

He said he has never considering purchasing or demolishing the Bow Lake Mobile Home Park and knows of no other company planning to purchase or demolish the park.

Tapio said he purchased another small mobile home park a few years ago that had already been platted by the owner into six lots. Five individuals in the park moved to other retirement housing, he added.

"Legal action is being considered on this matter
against all parties involved in defamatory action," Tapio declared.

Currently, the seven SeaTac council members select one of their colleagues to serve as mayor. The mayor presides at council meetings and represents the city at ceremonial functions. City Manager Todd Cutts supervises the city staff.

The proposition calls for a citywide vote for a mayor, who would serve as SeaTac's chief executive.
Burien, Normandy Park and Des Moines have a similar governmental structure to SeaTac while Tukwila has an elected mayor.

In official business, SeaTac lawmakers unanimously approved a reimbursement policy for council members who use high-speed Internet service for city business. The policy also covers meal expenses while on city business within 50 miles of City Hall and miscellaneous expenses.

The council members passed an amendment proposed by Shape that allows lawmakers to receive up to $100 per month for Internet service, in-area meals and miscellaneous expenses.

While the council members need not submit receipts for their expenses they must provide an accounting.
The state auditor informed SeaTac officials that the city did not have adequate policies in place concerning those expenses.

"We need to pass something to satisfy the auditor," Councilman Rick Forschler commented.