Suit to block library vote filed in Columbia County

DAYTON – Neighbors United for Progress, a Washington political committee led by residents of the Dayton area, took legal action Tuesday in Columbia County Superior Court to block a measure dissolving the county’s rural library district from appearing on the November ballot.

The measure to dissolve the library came as a local group raised objections to the display of what they saw as age-inappropriate sexual material in the children’s section of the Dayton library.

Committee members Elise Severe and Gerald Kaiser allege the measure is unconstitutional, exceeds the unincorporated county’s initiative power, and is plagued by fraud. The committee is being represented by Richard Jacobs and Nathan Viavant of Jacobs Law in Walla Walla. Columbia County Rural Library District Interim Director Ellen Brigham said Wednesday that Severe and Kaiser are not associated with the district in any way.

Ballot measure sponsor Jessica Ruffcorn, Columbia County, and the Columbia County Auditor’s Office, including Auditor Will Hutchens and Columbia County Director of Elections Cathy Abel are named as defendants in the complaint.

According to the summons, the named defendants have 20 days to respond to the complaint.

Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack will be appearing on behalf of the county and the county officers. He said the Washington State Office of the Attorney General will likely appear to argue any constitutional issues as to the statute itself.

The complaint states Neighbors United for Progress seeks declaratory and injunctive relief prohibiting the measure from appearing on the November ballot, plus an award of attorney fees associated with stopping the initiative.

Columbia County Clerk Kriston Chapman said a court date on this matter has not been set yet.

Photo: Columbia County Courthouse

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Elkhorn Media Group

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