By Pepper Fisher

PORT ANGELES – The petitions to recall 4 Port Angeles City Council members have been dismissed.

Superior Court Judge Lauren Erickson on Wednesday reviewed the complaints filed by Sequim resident John Worthington and found he had no standing to bring the charges in the first place because he is not a voter registered in Port Angeles. In other words, if he can’t vote for them, he can’t recall them.

Mayor Kate Dexter was one of 4 council members listed in the complaint.

“We were frustrated to be dealing with it in the first place. We’re pleased with the outcome today and appreciate the judge’s ruling, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work on our big issues for our community.”

The outcome was not a surprise to the attorney representing the councilmembers, Matt Segal, who warned Worthington on Monday that he believed it would go this way, and threatened that he might pursue the recovery of legal fees. Whether that will happen remains to be seen.

In an email sent to KONP soon after the decision, Worthington described the proceedings as a sham.

Worthington filed the complaint believing that when the 4 council members voted to join the global organization ICLEI, which works for sustainable urban development, they violated their oaths of office to the US Constitution, the Washington state Constitution, and the City of Port Angeles.

No word if Worthington will appeal.