Silenced hearing
Silenced hearing
Note on below article:
Below is a report on some shenanigans by Whatcom County employees and our Whatcom County Court system. On Wednesday, I went to the courthouse to attend a 2 pm hearing for a r
Below is a report on some shenanigans by Whatcom County employees and our Whatcom County Court system. On Wednesday, I went to the courthouse to attend a 2 pm hearing for a r
Note on below article:
Below is a report on some shenanigans by Whatcom County employees and our Whatcom County Court system. On Wednesday, I went to the courthouse to attend a 2 pm hearing for a restraining order against 76-year-old and wheelchair-bound Rita Foley. I never found the hearing - and the clerk of Superior Court who searched the computer for the hearing time and location acted as if she had never heard Rita's name. She said there was no record of any hearing in District or Superior Court for that day. After 40 minutes of checking court rooms and going between floors in the courthouse I gave up and left.
I later found out that the judges had all recused themselves from Rita's case and the hearing was held at 2 pm by a pro tem judge - a local lawyer chosen for this duty. The Superior Court clerk's office had transferred the hearing from Superior Court room #2 to the 4th floor in a room with no sign outside that the hearing was taking place. Myself and several friends of Rita never found the hearing room. Superior Court Clerk NF Jackson has improvements he could introduce to help people find where court cases are being held.
Gentle reader - Rita is well known in the courthouse because of her years of complaining about her neighbor's violations of county codes in clearing his land. I'm sure that hearing was in the computer as it was taking place while I asked. Secret judicial proceedings are not justice. They are railroad jobs.
The pro tem judge ruled against Rita, admitting last-minute testimony of county employees and granting a restraining order. All in a room away from the public, her friends and the press. All very protective of county staff.
You should know - for reading the article below - that reports of violations are supposed to be confidential to prevent retaliation. As you will read, county attorney Buckingham phoned plaintiff Stephen Scott's attorney Sitkin and told him that Rita was the complainer. This in itself should get an investigation.
Below is an anonymous report from a person who has first-hand knowledge of what went on in that secret court room. I know this person well and trust this report as being truthful. The writer is anon because of the violent temper of the fellow accusing Rita of threats. Even an elected county official told me the guy is a bully and out of control. Seems the county system does not mind railroading Rita to stop her complaining. This all reminds me of the Philip Marble case back in the '90s when some county employees collaborated with county residents in an attempt to defraud Philip of some of his land. It took some vigorous reporting to get higher authorities to look into the mess. Me thinks Pete Kremen needs to look under some rocks. He likes to pretend all is well in the old pumpkin-colored mausoleum - as Dick Beardsley used to call the courthouse.
Below is a report on some shenanigans by Whatcom County employees and our Whatcom County Court system. On Wednesday, I went to the courthouse to attend a 2 pm hearing for a restraining order against 76-year-old and wheelchair-bound Rita Foley. I never found the hearing - and the clerk of Superior Court who searched the computer for the hearing time and location acted as if she had never heard Rita's name. She said there was no record of any hearing in District or Superior Court for that day. After 40 minutes of checking court rooms and going between floors in the courthouse I gave up and left.
I later found out that the judges had all recused themselves from Rita's case and the hearing was held at 2 pm by a pro tem judge - a local lawyer chosen for this duty. The Superior Court clerk's office had transferred the hearing from Superior Court room #2 to the 4th floor in a room with no sign outside that the hearing was taking place. Myself and several friends of Rita never found the hearing room. Superior Court Clerk NF Jackson has improvements he could introduce to help people find where court cases are being held.
Gentle reader - Rita is well known in the courthouse because of her years of complaining about her neighbor's violations of county codes in clearing his land. I'm sure that hearing was in the computer as it was taking place while I asked. Secret judicial proceedings are not justice. They are railroad jobs.
The pro tem judge ruled against Rita, admitting last-minute testimony of county employees and granting a restraining order. All in a room away from the public, her friends and the press. All very protective of county staff.
You should know - for reading the article below - that reports of violations are supposed to be confidential to prevent retaliation. As you will read, county attorney Buckingham phoned plaintiff Stephen Scott's attorney Sitkin and told him that Rita was the complainer. This in itself should get an investigation.
Below is an anonymous report from a person who has first-hand knowledge of what went on in that secret court room. I know this person well and trust this report as being truthful. The writer is anon because of the violent temper of the fellow accusing Rita of threats. Even an elected county official told me the guy is a bully and out of control. Seems the county system does not mind railroading Rita to stop her complaining. This all reminds me of the Philip Marble case back in the '90s when some county employees collaborated with county residents in an attempt to defraud Philip of some of his land. It took some vigorous reporting to get higher authorities to look into the mess. Me thinks Pete Kremen needs to look under some rocks. He likes to pretend all is well in the old pumpkin-colored mausoleum - as Dick Beardsley used to call the courthouse.
