City sets date for ethics meeting on Harris

An ethics committee will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday to review a complaint alleging a violation of the Vancouver City Council’s Code of Ethics by Councilor Jeanne Harris two weeks ago.

Mayor Tim Leavitt appointed Councilors Larry Smith, Jack Burkman and Pat Campbell to investigate the complaint, filed by Smith and Burkman, which alleges that Harris’ actions toward the mayor and Councilor Jeanne Stewart during a Sept. 13 meeting “were not respectful and did not treat them with dignity.”

The complaint stems from an argument between Harris and Stewart, on Sept. 13, when Harris alleged that anti-tolls and light-rail advocates were Stewart’s supporters. When Stewart protested, Harris scoffed, “Get out of here,” and laughed. She also quarreled with Stewart after the meeting, telling Stewart to “shut up” after Stewart told her to “fix herself” and to “get sane.”

Harris also clashed with anti-tolling and light-rail speakers, demanding that the mayor “gavel down” one man, and walking out of the meeting when Leavitt did not do so.

Meetings of the committee will take place in City Council Chambers, 210 E. 13th St., and will be open to the public, who may observe, but not comment, the city said.

Upon completion of its investigation, the committee will issue an advisory opinion to the whole city council for consideration. The result could range from no punishment to a verbal warning to termination.

Harris is out of the country on a privately funded fellowship to tour Germany with other elected officials from across the U.S. She said she will return Oct. 19.

For more information about the process and policy, the Council Code of Ethics can be found on the city’s website, www.cityofvancouver.us.