Snohomish County Executive John Lovick vetoed the County Council’s budget for 2015—a decision that could lead to a partial county government shutdown. The council passed the budget in a 3-2 vote.
Among the reasons he lists in his veto letter, Lovick “accuses the council of singling out some executive’s office employees for ‘public ridicule and humiliation.’” Lovick’s accusation is “a clear reference to the council majority’s ongoing effort to eliminate raises that Lovick’s administration awarded to some of the county’s highest-paid managers…”
As SHIFT reported, Lovick “unilaterally gave handsome pay raises to 16 high ranking staff members without asking for the approval of the County Council.” The total pay raises, including benefits, amount to nearly $150,000. The council’s 2015 budget would reverse Lovick’s pay raises—an action councilmembers viewed as a violation of the law.
Those benefitting from Lovick’s pay raises include Deputy Executive Mark Ericks. Just four days after the deadly school shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, witnesses confirm that Ericks allegedly threatened to “shoot” or “kill” council members because of their recent political decisions.
Lovick says that members of the council are “overreacting” by wanting Ericks’ threats investigated by attorneys. Lovick was supposed to be an improvement over previous county executive Aaron Reardon, who resigned in disgrace as reported by SHIFT.
Let me guess…….. “Democrat”