by Lois Krafsky-Perry for Citizen Review
Sequim, WA – Nov. 16, 2019 – Jennifer States, recently re- elected Councilor for the City of Sequim, appears to have a conflict of interest, according to Jenna Rose of Save Our Sequim (SOS).
Jenna Rose appeared during the comment period at the City Council meeting on Nov. 12, 2019 to testify that she had learned that States is “doing business with the Jamestown S’klallam Tribe, contrary to what States and her husband said – which was published in the Sequim Gazette.”
Rose affirmed that they sell the wine from their business, Wind Rose Cellars, on the wine list at the tribe’s restaurant at Seven Cedars Dungeness Golf Course, called Stymies.
She stated that Oct. 31, 2019, she went to Stymies with two friends, Jodi and Penny, and bought one of States’ bottles of wine. “I took a picture of the bottle of Wind Rose Cellars wine, the wine list with Stymies Menu, and my receipt with wine purchase date circled. I enlarged the photo to an 8×10” and made copies for the City Planner, City Attorney, and Jennifer.”
At the City Council meeting, Rose took out the bottle of wine, placed it on the podium, handed out the color copies and demanded Jennifer States recuse herself. States did not respond.
In checking the Wind Rose Cellar Website, owned by Jennifer States and her husband David Volmut, Seven Cedars Dungeness is listed as one of her retail customers.
Rose said that States has voted repeatedly regarding issues that would benefit the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and in a local newspaper stated she did not sell wine to the Tribe except for one annual occasion, to benefit a nonprofit organization. The Oct. 30, 2019 issue of the Sequim Gazette reported that States was asked to recuse herself from any future votes regarding MAT [the medically-assisted-treatment facility owned by the Tribe] because her business Wind Rose Cellars, which she co-owns with her husband David Volmut, does business with the tribe. States said in an interview in that same story that she does not need to recuse herself because the state law says there is not a conflict of interest. According to the newspaper’s report, States’ husband, Volmut, “said in an interview that the only wine he’s sold to the tribe is for a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser each summer at about two cases each year. He said whatever isn’t used at the event is sold at the tribe’s Longhouse Market & Deli. Volmut said he’s attempted to sell his wine to the tribe other times but they haven’t purchased it.”
In a separate statement, Rose stated, “Whether she [States] sells a lot of wine through Stymies at the Golf Course or only a little is irrelevant. She has a business arrangement with them which she profits from and which has the potential to create even more profit.”
Item V in a booklet published by the City of Sequim entitled “Are You Thinking About Filing for a Council Position?” states: Conflicts of Interest and the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine: “Members of the City Council are required by law to comply with certain standards of conduct involving potential conflicts of interest and the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine. A Council member may not vote on any matter where he or she would be personally benefited because this would involve a conflict of interest. Further, state law strictly forbids City officials from having any personal financial interest in City employment, other City contracts, regardless of whether or not they vote on the matter.”
City attorney Kristina Nelson-Gross responded in a “To Whom It May Concern” letter that she does not believe there is a conflict of interest. She quoted an RCW, a court case, and stated that she would “recommend that the Council delegate the matter to a hearing examiner”. (A hearing examiner has not been hired by the City, and Nelson-Gross has been promoting the idea of hiring one.)
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