Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
39 plaintiffs in Chelan and Douglas counties seek to end coronavirus shutdown
WENATCHEE — Two more lawsuits have been filed against Gov. Jay Inslee in an effort to upend his stay-home quarantine orders.
Several business and community leaders on Friday filed simultaneous lawsuits in Chelan and Douglas County asking Superior Courts to end coronavirus-related restrictions.
Prior to Friday, at least five lawsuits had been filed in various county superior and U.S. district courts, including one class action lawsuit filed in Tacoma by Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier of Eltopia, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Eyman and other so-called “non-essential” business owners, employees and residents.
All of the lawsuits contend that Inslee has overstepped his authority.
The new lawsuits in Chelan and Douglas counties point out that Gov. Inslee declared an emergency because he believed a surge in coronavirus-related cases would be too much for hospitals statewide to handle.
The prediction has never come to pass.
Bainbridge Island attorney Joel Ard, who is representing the 39 plaintiffs in these lawsuits as well as two others filed previously, said Gov. Inslee’s move to alter the emergency declaration after his predictions failed to come true is unconstitutional.
Former state Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Wenatchee, is among the plaintiffs.
Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed against Gov. Inslee in Whitman County has been moved to U.S. District Court.
Steptoe resident Kevin Akesson sued the governor in Whitman County Superior Court on May 11, but the governor’s attorney requested the matter be moved to U.S. District Court, where Inslee is facing lawsuits on allegations that he violated the rights of U.S. citizens guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution and subsequent amendments.
After that case was moved to federal court, Akesson filed an additional lawsuit; Inslee’s attorney has asked that it be transferred to Thurston County Superior Court in Olympia.
In his lawsuit, Akesson points out that not only are the quarantine orders unconstitutional, they also prevent rural residents from participating in digital meetings because of limited internet access.
“Now that it is clear that COVID-19 will not overwhelm hospital and other health care resources in Whitman County, there is no longer a ‘disaster’ or any other emergency justifying the issuance of orders pursuant to RCW 43.06.220,” Akesson wrote in his complaint
All three lawsuits filed in Eastern Washington want the governor restrained by the courts from further actions related to the coronavirus.
In addition, Akesson is seeking attorney and other fees in his lawsuit.
Roger Harnack is co-owner and publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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