2021-09-30 Emergency meetingEmergency meeting
September 30, 2021
1 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Erik Martin, Jonathan Meyer,
Andrew Toynbee, Doug Carey, Becky Butler, Steve Wohld, Amber Smith, Austin Majors, Scott Tinney,
Tammy Martin
Guests: Numerous members of the public, press and Lewis County staff via Zoom
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Commissioner Pollock called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. and noted that the emergency meeting was
being called as allowed under RCW 42.30.070.
Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer discussed the vacancy created by the untimely death of
Commissioner Gary Stamper. He noted that RCW 36.32.070(4) indicates that when “there is one vacancy
in the office of county commissioner, the two remaining commissioners shall fill the vacancy. If the two
commissioners fail to agree upon a selection after the expiration of five days from the day the vacancy
occurred, the governor shall appoint the third commissioner.” However, he noted, the five-day provision
outlined in RCW 36.32.070(4) directly conflicts with Article II, §15 of the Washington State Constitution,
which would provide 60 days for the appointment.
Jonathan said the county would need to notify the Republican Party of the vacancy and request that the
party provide a list of three candidates from District 3 qualified to fill the vacancy.
The commissioners directed Jonathan to proceed with the letter to the Republican Party. The
commissioners asked that the letter request that the Republican Party submit the names of its three
potential appointees within 30 days.
Meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.