Blaine City Council candidate called out on conflict of interest

KGMI News

BLAINE, Wash – A candidate for Blaine City Council is being called out for potential conflicts of interest.

City Council write-in candidate Rachel Hruitfiord is married to Blaine Planning Commission member Steve Hruitfiord, who is also an 18-year employee of the Blaine Public Works Department.

The Northern Light reports Blaine City Attorney Jon Sitkin sent a memo to Blaine’s City Manager October 24th saying that even if Hruitfiord recused herself from matters dealing with the city’s collective bargaining agreement, that would not stop the conflict of interest due to her husband’s salaried position with the city.

For her part, Hruitfiord says the city’s position on the matter has changed over time, and that she intends to keep campaigning.