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Declaration of John Wetle
Not an official copy.
Honorable Christine A. Pomeroy
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
FOR THURSTON COUNTY
THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, et. al., Plaintiffs vs. THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON, et. al, Defendants.
Thurston County Cause no. 00 2 02068 3
DECLARATION OF JOHN WETLE
John Wetle, being first duly sworn on oath under penalty of perjury declares
and says:
1. I am of legal age and competent to testify as to all matters contained herein
on personal knowledge and/or based upon records and practices I would reasonably
rely upon during the course of my employment and professional discipline.
2. I am the Stevens County Prosecutor. I have reviewed the Affidavit of Henry
Miggins and Collette Greenwood being filed by the City of Spokane. I concur
from the perspective of Stevens County that it is going to be impossible to
try and implement I 722 on a piecemeal basis throughout the State. I also concur
that Stevens County essential public health and safety services would be endangered
or threatened, not only by the drastic and sudden loss of revenues, with no
opportunity for advance planning in an orderly way, but the unpredictability
and uncertainty as to even how the State Department of Revenue intends to interpret
and apply I 722, now that it is enjoined, with respect to some counties but
not others is unfathomable.
3. I am unable, as legal advisor to the Stevens County Commissioners, the Stevens
County Assessor and the Stevens County Treasurer, to do my job. I cannot predict
or tell them what or how they should or should not implement I 722. If, as appears
from the Supreme Court’s decision on I 695, it develops that some of the same
constitutional defects arise in the case of I 722, significant amounts of money
will be wasted by my clients in attempting to comply with an illegal law. Monies
refunded can not be recollected. To have the Stevens County Assessor totally
revamp the local property valuation process for a few months, and then have
to undo this if I 722 is unconstitutional (as appears likely) would be akin
to unscrambling an omlet.
4. Stevens County government and its citizens and taxpayers would be irreparably
injured if we are not permitted to join this case and allow the Courts to determine
the significant legal and constitutional issues in an orderly way. Conversely,
if the Initiative is upheld, implementation would be able to commence in an
orderly process, coordinated also at the state level with other counties throughout
the state.
DATED this__________ day of December, 2000.
________________________________
JOHN WETLE
STEVENS COUNTY PROSECUTOR
WSBA # 7533
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