Letter: Hageman's Voter Registration Was Challenged By Me

Dear Woodinville residents:

(Woodinville City Councilmember) Scott Hageman moved in October of 2012. He did not update his voter registration until March 1st 2013. Scott had four months to update his address as required by law, but he failed to do so. Mayor (Bernie) Talmas could have done a much better job of presenting the issue, I agree. Nobody presented false or doctored documents and I challenge Scott to produce any evidence that supports his comments that this was the case. All documents presented were obtained legally, online, from King County records, which is a free service provided to everybody. Some of Scott’s loan documents are a matter of public record because proper recording of liens announces to the world their existence.

Scott’s voter registration was challenged by me based on the fact that Scott no longer lived at 16505 NE Woodinville Duvall Road, Scott’s registered address.

Scott did not deny that he moved or that his voter registration was invalid.

When Scott updated his address, that particular challenge became moot. The information regarding Scott’s loans, property titles, voter registration, possible addresses etc. were obtained at the request of the King County Elections Board as part of the challenge process. Although you may feel that some documents are “Personal” in nature, property titles, lien documents, voter registration documents, and other information has to be recorded and made available to the public in order to verify their existence and to make the terms enforceable. If you want to accuse anybody of being a “Spy”, start with the King County Elections Board.

It is important to note that even though Scott might maintain a residence in Woodinville, just having an address in the city does not mean he actually lives in the city. That issue is still in dispute. As Greg Rubstello (Woodinville City Attorney) stated, residency is a mixed issue of fact and law. There is ample evidence available online via King County Public Records that proves Scott purchased a home in Kirkland as a PRIMARY residence in August of 2012. Scott never publically denied moving to Kirkland between August of 2012 and October of 2012. What Scott did say on February 12th is, “I do not consider myself a resident of Kirkland…at this time”. Decide for yourself why he didn’t just tell us he has never been a resident of Kirkland, or that he has consistently maintained residency in Woodinville. 

I am sympathetic to Scott with respect to his family’s privacy. But he alone is to blame for bringing his family issue up. Choosing to be an elected official brings a few pleasantries that you just have to live with. Scott failed to abide by the law, and if anybody is to blame for this entire fiasco, it is him.

My final note is that Scott not only failed to abide by the law, he seemed to blame the mayor, citizens, and even the City Attorney for his problems.

Thank you,

Dale Knapinski