The City of Winlock never seems to be boring these days. There have been many things that have occured that makes one question what exactly is happening in city hall.
Recently, the Town Crier placed a public records request to the City Clerk. The request was for all grants written and received by Mayor Bradshaw or Gray and Osborne, the City Engineers. Upon receipt of the records request, it was determined by the Town Crier that at least one grant was missing.
Mayor Bradshaw had stated to the Town Crier that the Community Development position was hired based on a grant. The Town Crier did a public records request for the grant which determined the grant amount did not cover the salary but only $2,500 for the year. This position is in the 2019 budget for $40,0000. This grant was received in 2018 for the City of Winlock by Community Development Block Grant.
Upon questioning the City Clerk about the missing grant, the Town Crier was immediately directed to send all public requests to the city attorney. There was no response that the grant had been received even though it was in another records request, no answer was ever given. The RCW is clear, the City Clerk is the Clerk of Record and it is her duty to supply individuals with records requests. The Town Crier has and will continue to refuse to supply public records request to the city attorney.
This brought back the issue the Town Crier has seen with a local businessman. The city has also requested the businessman send all public requests through its attorney, which he has done.
The Town Crier has been at several meetings where the businessman attended city council meetings but not once did he get out of line or removed from a city council meeting. He had tried to attend several meetings this year but was stopped at the door by the Winlock Police Department.
This same businessman was informed by the Winlock Police Department he could no longer go into Winlock City Hall for business. The Town Crier decided to do a public records request on this individual to see if there were any trespassing tickets or restraining orders, per the records request and there were none.
Fast forward to last week and this same businessman received a letter from the city attorney, Erin Hillier stating he could attend City Council Meetings but he was still not allowed in City Hall to conduct business. This is a clear violation of this businessman's civil rights!