Restraining order issued on move to close the Dayton library
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
DAYTON – The move to dissolve the rural library district in Columbia County, Washington has been at least temporarily blocked from the November 7 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.
Superior Court Commissioner Julie Karl ruled last Wednesday that the ballot initiative is invalid on the grounds that it exceeds the scope of the initiative authority granted to the people of the unincorporated county; the dissolution statute, as applied, is unconstitutional and internally inconsistent such that the petition process and vote are invalid; there is substantial evidence of fraud and good cause to permit the mandatory investigation of the allegations; and that irreparable injury, loss, or damage will occur without the temporary restraining order in place.
In her ruling, Karl issued a restraining order that shall remain in effect for 14 days. Another court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 20. The first ballots for that election are supposed to be mailed to the military and overseas voters by Sept. 23.
Last month, Neighbors United for Progress, a committee led by residents of the Dayton area, took legal action in Columbia County Superior Court to block a measure dissolving the county’s rural library district from appearing on the November ballot. Committee members Elise Severe and Gerald Kaiser allege the measure is unconstitutional, exceeds the unincorporated county’s initiative power, and is plagued by fraud.
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.
