Yakima mayor urges new councilman to step down

YAKIMA — The mayor is calling for newly elected City Councilman Rick Ensey to step down after he acknowledged his wife had posted anonymous blogs that included unfounded rumors his opponent had been arrested for drunken driving.

"I think that what has happened has really hurt our community. I think it would be the best thing for the community if he did," Mayor Dave Edler told the Yakima Herald-Republic newspaper.

Throughout Ensey's campaign, an anonymous blogger criticized his opponent, Councilman Ron Bonlender, and Democrats on the Web site InsideYakima.com.

The blogger also claimed there were "rumors" that Bonlender had been arrested several times for investigation of drunken driving and that police, the city manager and local newspapers had covered up the reports.

The blogger offered no evidence, and the Herald-Republic's review of state records found nothing to back up the claims. Two days after the election, Ensey acknowledged his wife was the blogger.

Bonlender has sued Diane Ensey for defamation, alleging she maliciously smeared him on behalf of her husband. The Superior Court lawsuit names Rick Ensey as a co-defendant.

Several council members have said they agree with the mayor, but Ensey said he has no intention of resigning.