Friday, November 20, 2009

A SPOKESMAN-REVIEW INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Mayor to take leave

Mike Prager / Staff writer

May 9, 2005

© The Spokesman-Review 2005

Spokane Mayor Jim West on Monday announced he is taking a leave from office to give himself a few weeks to gather his thoughts and prepare a defense against "false accusations leveled against me."

West made the announcement in a brief appearance before the City Council at its regular weekly briefing session, held on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. He gave no indication he has any intention of resigning, despite calls from a growing number of quarters that the mayor step down.

The embattled mayor entered Council Chambers at 3:29 p.m., and walked slowly to the podium, stopping midway to greet a former council member seated in the audience.

Mayor Jim West address council members on Monday afternoon. (Brian Plonka/The Spokesman-Review)

Clusters of cameras and news media flanked the mayor as he made his statement four days after The Spokesman-Review published results of an investigation into allegations that West sexually abused two boys more than 25 years ago, and in recent months, used his office to offer gifts, favors and an internship to personal contacts he made on a Gay.com chat line.

"The current news media hysteria is distracting to the business of the city and is occupying a great deal of my time," West said in what was clearly a prearranged appearance. West normally does not attend Monday afternoon council briefings.

"I have not taken a vacation since assuming office in January of 2004, and therefore, I'm going to take a leave of a few weeks to gather my thoughts and prepare my defense against the false accusations leveled against me," West said.

Audio Listen to West's statement; clarification on leave from Marlene Feist, city public affairs officer; audio from City Council public forum. West addresses City Council Transcript Full text of West's statement.

The mayor said that Deputy Mayor Jack Lynch will continue in his role as chief operating officer overseeing the daily operations of the city. The mayor said he would stay in touch with Lynch and be available for consultation with him and Council President Dennis Hession.

"I have asked the other members of the cabinet (top executives) to step up their efforts to focus on the good initiatives we have started and prepare for the difficult budget we expect for 2006," West said.

He asked the council, labor groups and employees to maintain a focus on doing the business of the city.

"We've made a lot of progress in just the last year and a half, and we have a lot yet to do," he said.

He closed by criticizing the newspaper's coverage.

"Finally, I hope that you and the people will reserve judgment on me until the newspaper is done persecuting me and allow me to have the fair opportunity to respond to each of the allegations in due time," he said.

Top officials within City Hall said they feared losing the momentum brought by West to City Hall. One official said the allegations had left administrators stunned and was getting in the way of their work.