Letter to the Editor: I did not file a lawsuit, it was an injunction
Letter to the editor, by Kip Etter:
It has come to my attention that the public has raised some questions regarding the injunction action I recently filed against the City, and I would like to clear up some misconceptions about that action. First and foremost, I want to make clear that I did not file a suit against the City of Wellington so that I would personally receive money for damages.
I have no desire to profit from these recent events, and any damages that I would be awarded would be donated to the Memorial Auditorium Air Conditioning Fund. My intent in filing the injunction action was to protect the City Council seat for which the citizens of Wellington elected me, to ensure that both the voters and the election process are honored by allowing an elected City Council Member to properly serve out his term.
I did not file the lawsuit out of spite or ill will towards the City or any Council Members. As I have previously stated, I muttered something under my breath at a prior Council meeting that was not intended for anyone’s hearing but my own. Unfortunately that statement was overheard and was misconstrued as a resignation of my seat.
I’ve made it clear to the Mayor, the City Council, and to the citizens of Wellington that I had no intent to resign at the time, have no present intention of resigning, and that I intend to serve the City in my capacity as a City Council Member until the end of my term. Ultimately, I had to file the recent injunction action because it was the only proper way for me to protect my ability to continue to serve the citizens of Wellington. I am pleased that the City Council members have concluded that there is no resignation pending, no vacancy on the Council, and they have dropped their efforts to replace me.
I take my position as a City Council Member seriously and am now, as I have always been, ready to move forward with the rest of the Council in a positive manner. We have important work to do for the City and I believe that it is time to put this episode behind us so that we can all move forward and work together for the best interest of Wellington.Â
Kip Etter.
