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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Hale fined for campaign violation

By Tony Dondero
Enterprise reporter

Shoreline City Council candidate Patty Hale sidestepped the law in one of the roles touted on her campaign mailer: substitute teacher.

Hale, the leading vote-getter in the August primary for Council Position 3, will be fined by the state Public Disclosure Commission for using a classroom at Shorecrest High School to help recruit students to volunteer for her campaign.

The PDC determined that Hale violated a state law that prohibits elected officials and candidates for public office from using public facilities to assist their campaign or advocate for or against any ballot proposition.

Hale, a first-time candidate, said she was not aware that what she did was illegal.

“Heavens no, I would not have done it,” Hale said. “Who would have caused this much grief for themselves purposefully?”

Hale, a substitute teacher at Shorecrest High School, spoke to classes about her campaign on at least two occasions, Dec. 16 and June 16, while supervising students. She circulated a sign-up sheet to obtain contact information from student volunteers on both occasions, according to the PDC report.

Hale is scheduled to appear at a hearing at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in Olympia. Hale was assessed a $1,000 civil penalty, with $750 suspended if she does not violate the same law again through the end of 2013.

Letters from Matt Freeborn, then a junior at Shorecrest, to Superintendent Sue Walker and the PDC prompted investigations by the school district and the PDC. Freeborn was a student in a Dec. 16 essay fundamentals class and a June 16 speech class, both taught by Hale.

Hale passed out a sheet for students to put contact information down for her campaign during class. Freeborn’s brother, Chris, signed up.

“A bunch of my friends did,” Chris Freeborn said. “I figured what the heck.”

Hale said she received about 30 student names from the process and her campaign sent out an e-mail that listed campaign jobs such as opponent research, issue research, event staff, data entry, doorbelling and Web site design that would qualify for community service credits, which are required for graduation.

Matt Freeborn said he discussed the matter with his parents before he decided to file the complaint.

The school district investigation resulted in a letter of direction from district human resources director Bill Fritz. The letter to Hale said she “utilized class time for your own political benefit.” She was asked not to communicate further with the students.

Hale said last week she planned to file a grievance with the district.

Will Hall, who finished second in the August primary and has been endorsed by incumbent Janet Way, who finished third in the primary, declined to comment on Hale’s situation.

“I don’t have the information or authority,” Hall said. “It’s not my job.”

Hall, who is one of seven legislative analysts that work for the Snohomish County Council, might have to recuse himself from votes related to the future of the Point Wells property, an oil storage facility that sits in Snohomish County, if elected to the Shoreline City Council.

The city of Shoreline has a stake in what happens to Point Wells as a possible annexation and because the only road entering the site goes through Richmond Beach. Hall said his perspective could be valuable in discussions but acknowledged he might have to decline to participate in certain decisions or votes.

“I can’t take part in a decision by the city of Shoreline to sue Snohomish County. I can’t take part in any action where there would be a conflict of interest,” Hall said.