ELECTORAL LAW VIOLATION BY CITY OF BLAINE

6/23/25 LETTER TO STATE AND COUNTY:

Both Blaine Mayor Mary Lou Steward and Blaine City Manager Mike Harmon went on record at the city council meeting this evening in support of appointing Sarbie Bains to city council tonight, without allowing any other citizens of Blaine to apply to fill out the six months left on former Councilman Mike Hill's term of office. 

While Blaine citizens monitoring corruption in city hall forced the city tonight to advertise and interview any citizens interested in serving the city, as required in the Blaine City Council Rules of Procedure, we expect the city manager and mayor to attempt further 'dirty tricks' as they have done in the past, and indeed tried tonight.

Harmon even attempted to unduly influence the council by stating that "former Councilman Hill endorses Sarbie Bains." All this unlawful conduct by the city manager and mayor taints the process from the outset with a clearly stated official bias, meaning if they do appoint Sarbie Bains, that could be legally challenged.

We have already briefed the Washington Secretary of State (elections division) and the Washington State Auditor, as well as the Whatcom County Prosecutor and County Auditor on Harmon's violation of electoral law. This information is being forwarded to the U.S. Department of Justice, which is reviewing our June 14, 2025, Formal Complaint against the City of Blaine for perjury, self-dealing, and felony fraud. 

It is our hope that we can compel state and federal authorities to form a special unit to help Blaine citizens with desperately needed civic reform in Blaine.

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