Originally published Friday, November 23, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Yakima mayor urges new councilman to step down
The mayor is calling for newly elected City Councilman Rick Ensey to step down after he acknowledged his wife had posted anonymous blogs...
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.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Others states' fights bring focus to Daniels
NEW - 07:13 AM
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is writing memoir
Bill would make jail mug shots available
Immigration, license bill voted down in state Senate
Rival Texas bills require sonograms before abortions

general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Electronics
just listed
Adorable Bull Terrier puppies for good home...
AKC Great Dane Puppies Ready
AKC PAL/ILP Registered Labs
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- Washington men walloped by Oregon, 82-57
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
507 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
406 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
382 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
367 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
115 - Rough road again
108 - A few late-night notes
96 - USA Today further spells out how Mariners, handful of clubs next in line for huge cash windfall
76 - Marijuana legalization initiative set to go on Nov. ballot
74
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
