Staying put: Rushing refuses to resign

Residents, staff and dignitaries filled the Airway Heights City Council chambers Monday night to watch the political fate of Mayor Patrick Rushing.

During its meeting, council approved a resolution, 5-1, that declares Rushing’s Facebook offensive comments about First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama inexcusable and prejudicial, and that his personal views do not represent the values or beliefs of the city. It also declares the council has no confidence in Rushing to perform his duties as mayor and directs staff to review his position on boards and commissions. Rushing was the only dissenting vote with Councilman Doyle Inman absent.

The resolution came out of a July 13 study session where council asked Rushing to resign, which he refused to do. On July 10, Rushing made comments on his personal Facebook account, comparing the Obamas to “monkeys.”

Rushing apologized for his comments — and even went around the room apologizing to individuals before the meeting. He has also deleted his personal Facebook page, calling it a “tool of the devil.”

“I’ve asked for forgiveness and I’ll continue to ask for forgiveness,” Rushing said. “I will not step down but I will seek help to better myself as a leader.”

During the meeting, a variety of people spoke for and against Rushing. Like the council, many residents who took the podium found the mayor’s comments offensive and said he should resign, stating they had no confidence in his ability to lead the city. They have also cited the negative national attention his actions have brought to Airway Heights.

“When you hold a public office, you should watch what you say,” Rita Osborne, longtime resident and former Planning Commission chair said. “For Airway Heights to move forward, you need to step down.”

Proponents of Rushing’s spoke about his contributions to Airway Heights, being personable to residents and his willingness to help others. They also mentioned Rushing’s right to freedom of speech.

“He is the reason for the growth in this town,” resident Sandy Holland said. “I doubt anyone in this room has done or said anything they haven’t regretted. To ask for his resignation is wrong.”

The Rev. Happy Watkins, vice president of Spokane’s NAACP chapter, read part of a statement from the NAACP that asked for Rushing to resign. He also invited Rushing to come to a NAACP meeting.

“Mr. Rushing has apologized to me and I am in the business of forgiving,” Watkins said.

The resolution also requests staff to review the mayor’s use of city equipment to determine if he has improperly used it for personal use or non-city business.

Sanctions the resolution imposes include:

• Not allowing the mayor to make any written or oral statements regarding the city without receiving advanced approval from the Community and Economic Development subcommittee.

• Restricting the mayor from traveling outside of Spokane County to represent city interest without prior approval of council.

• Requesting the mayor forfeit his salary, which is $2,000 a month, for the remainder of his term. Rushing said he would not.

Before council voted on the resolution, Deputy Mayor Kevin Richey presented a binder containing many of the negative comments the city has received from across the country — which are currently over 740 — regarding Rushing’s actions. Various council members went around the table, once again asking the mayor to resign.

“We have come a long way and Mayor Rushing has done a lot for this community,” Richey said. “I do believe that he does love this city and he wants to continue promoting it in a positive light. If he wants to continue doing that, he should step aside.”

Rushing thanked residents, staff and council members for their feedback but he reaffirmed his stance on not resigning, which drew some applause from the audience.

“I will continue to do my job as mayor,” Rushing said. “If people don’t want me as mayor, they can recall me.”

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].