Tensions were high at Monday night’s city council meeting, as council members confronted Mayor Don Gough about the low police staffing levels. It’s an ongoing issue that we covered in May and June. When the council passed the 2011-2012 budget late last year, it provided funding for 71 officers. That’s down from 80 prior to 2011. Since that time, seven officers have left for other departments and t... »
A citizens group has formally launched its campaign to change Lynnwood’s form of government. People for a Better Lynnwood wants to do away with the mayor-city council model and instead hire a professional city manager to oversee the city’s day-to-day operations. Voters will decide on the issue on the Nov. 8 ballot. Rod Siddell, a former city employee, is the campaign chairman. “We, the residents o... »
People for a Better Lynnwood, a citizens group that wants to change the city’s form of government, is appealing to voters through a YouTube video. The video, which was paid for and produced by the group, explains why they believe hiring a city manager would lead to more accountability for voters. Some critics blame a $22 million shortfall for the 2011-2012 biennium, at least in part, to mism... »
In February the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that gives more oversight to the city’s budget process. But in an e-mail to city officials, Council President Mark Smith said Mayor Don Gough refuses to sign it. The measure requires that transfer of funds between departments ordered by the Mayor must be confirmed by the City Council — provided that the amount is more than $1... »
Mayor Don Gough has announced his pick for Lynnwood’s next finance director. He has recommended Lorenzo Hines, the finance director for the city of Edmonds. The City Council is expected to make the final decision at tonight’s meeting. The council interviewed the five finalists last week. “From all the information, opinions, comments by staff, panel members, and community members ... »
Voters will decide this fall if Lynnwood should change its form of government. Monday night the City Council passed a resolution to place a measure on the Nov. 8 ballot that would ask voters if they want to change from a council-mayor to a council-city manager form of government. Under the current council-mayor form of government, the mayor is elected and can hire or fire department heads. Under a... »
A new investigation of alleged aggressive and intimidating behavior by Mayor Don Gough found no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing. (Click here to review the full report.) This past June, Director of Neighborhoods and Community Affairs Emily Yim claimed Gough intimated her after a staff meeting and retaliated against her when she complained. She also said the city didn’t respond properly to her com... »
A website has named Lynnwood Mayor Don Gough as the 8th worst boss in the country. EBossWatch.com assembled a panel of workplace experts who selected and ranked the second annual list of America’s Worst Bosses. The distinction comes after several female employees accused Gough of creating “hostile and harassment-based working environment.” In August the City Council censured him, called on h... »
A week after the City Council passed a series of tax hikes, Mayor Don Gough has vetoed two of them. At Wednesday night’s meeting, council members learned that Mayor Gough nixed the higher utility and property taxes. He said the utility tax increase from four to six percent should have a mechanism to lower it back down when the economy improves. “Our residents and business deserve to know that at a... »
Voters could decide if Lynnwood should switch to a council-city manager form of government. Under the current council-strong mayor form of government, the mayor is elected and can hire or fire department heads (although the City Council removed that power in August.) Last night, Councilman Jim Smith made a motion to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance for the Council to review then plac... »
Mayor Don Gough is proposing a series of new taxes and nearly 100 employee layoffs to balance an estimated $21 million budget shortfall. Gough presented his 2011 – 2012 budget to the City Council Monday night. Among his proposals is a two percent increase in the utility tax (water, sewer and electricity). He said that would raise about $2 million and bring Lynnwood in line with neighboring c... »
Tonight Mayor Don Gough is expected to face the Lynnwood City Council for the first time since they officially called on him to resign. Last Monday the Council voted 6-1 to censure Mayor Gough and urged him to step down after an investigation of his conduct with city employees. Council President Ted Hikel abstained from the vote. On Thursday the city released the report of the investigation. After... »
Mayor Don Gough’s assistant Stephanie Simpson has settled with the city for $49,500 after accusing Gough of discrimination, according to a report in the Everett Herald. Simpson said that behind the scenes, tensions between herself and Gough percolated. That friction increased last year when she became pregnant and applied for a job as assistant city administrator, Simpson said. The conflict ... »
The Lynnwood finance director has resigned from his post, less than a week after walking out during a heated City Council meeting. The Everett Herald reports John Moir submitted his resignation letter to Mayor Don Gough. »
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