Once again our mayor, Noel Gerken, is causing problems in Maple Valley. This time his actions had swift and negative repercussions.
By letter dated Aug. 5 to City Manager David Johnston, King County has removed Maple Valley from any advisory participation in the review of the King County RFQ (request for qualifications) concerning their sale of the 156-acre Donut Hole and he was directed to return all documents pertaining to this action. We will have no further involvement.
In their letter they stated: “On August 4, 2011 Maple Valley Mayor Noel Gerken released an opinion on the overall project, including a judgment on the merits of the firms’ submittals. This public pronouncement runs counter to the County’s requirement to protect the integrity of the competitive process, particularly where multiple factors in an evaluation must be considered. Your participation in this process has been advisory. The County is required to minimize actions that may negatively impact the fairness of the RFQ process; therefore, we must terminate your participation in the evaluation process effective immediately….”
As I see it, the bigger problem is that by his very action Mayor Gerken has now jeopardized our continued work with King County on the Donut Hole. His very action may have damaged several years of hard work with King County. He has a long history of “maverick” actions like this and it is not uncommon for him to ignore protocol and the council’s own rules. In this instance Maple Valley may pay a very high price for his actions.
The letter submitted to the papers by Mayor Gerken was not sanctioned nor directed in an open meeting after full discussion with all council members. In light of the swift actions taken by King County in terminating our participation in their procurement process it is my opinion council must address immediately the issues raised and act swiftly and decisively to demonstrate to King County officials that we can and do respect their procurement process.
When council reconvenes on Aug. 22 I will propose an apology letter to King County. It is the least we can do as a council. In these times of high political emotion maybe it will help.
Linda Johnson
Maple Valley City Council member
Position No. 7
