Burnett’s lawsuit against Island County stalls

A 45-day deadline has passed for Oak Harbor resident Bill Burnett who filed a lawsuit against Island County in July. According to a letter from Chief Civil Deputy Dan Mitchell, Burnett had 45 days to prepare documents and file a brief of appellant with the Superior Court to accompany his lawsuit. Mitchell said Monday that there has been no further action since the letter was sent to Burnett outlining his next steps.

By Janis Reid • October 7, 2013 12:13 pm

A 45-day deadline has passed for Oak Harbor resident Bill Burnett who filed a lawsuit against Island County in July.

According to a letter from Chief Civil Deputy Dan Mitchell, Burnett had 45 days to prepare documents and file a brief of appellant with the Superior Court to accompany his lawsuit.

Mitchell said Monday that there has been no further action since the letter was sent to Burnett outlining his next steps.

Burnett could not be reached for comment.

It’s unclear as to whether or not he would be able to proceed with the case given the deadline has passed.

Burnett, who is currently an Oak Harbor School Board candidate, filed his lawsuit July 25 in Island County Superior Court asking a judge to compel the Island County Board of Commissioners to reinstate Kelly Emerson as chairwoman.

Emerson, of Camano Island, was removed from the leadership role July 10 by the other two commissioners after Emerson allegedly defied the consensus of the board.

Burnett, acting as his own attorney, filed the “complaint for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief” against the board of commissioners, as well as commissioners Helen Price Johnson, of Clinton, and Jill Johnson, of Oak Harbor.