Gadfly files civil lawsuit over sign flap

by Mark Morey
Yakima Herald-Republic

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A longtime critic of the city of Sunnyside wants more than $2.5 million from several current and former officials to resolve his claims that the city damaged his construction business and violated his civil rights.

Prosser resident Tom Paul alleges the city shouldn't have resisted his efforts to post signs that criticized former City Manager Bob Stockwell as a dictator, and that the city cut into his business by imposing different standards on him that other contractors aren't required to follow.

Seattle attorney Michael Gillett filed the lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Yakima. It followed a legal claim against the city that sought $3.3 million over the same accusations.

Besides Stockwell, the lawsuit names the city of Sunnyside, Mayor Pablo Garcia, Councilwoman Theresa Hancock; former Mayor Ed Prilucik; Councilman Jim Restucci, city attorney and former acting City Manager Mark Kunkler and city building official Mike Storms.

Paul's long-running dispute with the city grew from land he owns along South First Street, a main entrance to the city from Interstate 82.

Paul and the city have disagreed since 2004 about whether he has a right to post signs criticizing the city and whether he can replace a commercial billboard that was destroyed in a storm or build several small sheds.

He and the city last year reached a settlement that dropped city claims he was violating the sign code.

Paul started painting over the signs criticizing Stockwell and other city officials once Stockwell resigned under pressure in September.

The city manager's departure was never linked to the dispute with Paul, though City Council members declined to say exactly why they wanted to oust their top administrator.

A message left at City Hall requesting comment on the lawsuit was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon. Court records do not indicate the city has been served with a copy of the lawsuit yet.

 

* Mark Morey can be reached at 577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.

 



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