Recall Hearing for Tenino Councilor Frank Anderson Scheduled for Thursday

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The recall hearing against Tenino Councilor Frank Anderson, who owes the city of Tenino more than $140,000, is scheduled for Thursday at 9 a.m. in Thurston County Superior Court.

Thurston County Judge Thomas McPhee will decide if the Tenino Recall Committee’s charges against Anderson are legally sufficient enough for the committee to begin collecting signatures.

Justin Kover, a recall committee member and spokesman, said if the judge agrees the charges are enough to recall Anderson, the group will need 89 signatures to force a special recall election.

Kover said state law requires that the recall committee gather signatures from 35 percent of the total number of voters who voted for Anderson in the last election.

According to the Thurston County Auditor's Office, Anderson was last elected in 2009 with 253 votes, which means 89 would be needed to garner a special election.

“If the voters vote yes in the recall election,” Kover said. “Frank is removed immediately.”

The six-member Tenino Recall Committee filed their complaint against Anderson on Sept. 26.

Kover said the complaints stem from Anderson owing $127,00 to the city for code violations for his dilapidated property at 1097 Park Ave. E. in Tenino as well as owing $14,720 in unpaid water bills.



If Judge McPhee shoots down the complaints, Kover said, the recall committee would appeal.

Anderson has not made a formal statement about the recall committee’s accusations, though he did say he will attend the Oct. 25 hearing with his attorney.

“We are going to be there in full force,” Anderson told The Chronicle this week.

The recall committee is also planning to recall Councilor Robert Scribner, who was discovered to have used resources when working at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries in June to access personal and confidential records on Mayor Eric Strawn and other members of the council.

Kover said the group needs to consult with their lawyers before filing the complaint against Scribner.

The Tenino Recall Committee voted on Saturday to close the investigation of Strawn, who was accused of having sexual contact with a woman inside a city vehicle, but did not face any charges for the incident.

“We are interested in recalling him,” Kover said. “But there is not enough evidence. Pending further evidence, our investigation is complete.”