BY PEPPER FISHER
Port Angeles – Two of the three Port of Port Angeles Commissioners have asked the third, Steve Burke, to resign, and have drafted a resolution to censure him that will be presented at a special meeting set for May 1.
Commissioners Connie Beauvais and Colleen McAleer have asked Burke to resign from the Board, but they say he has declined to do so.
The resolution references Burke’s role as Executive Director of the Shore Aquatic Center, where he has been on administrative leave since November following a state auditor’s report that found evidence of potential fraud. The report specifically alleges that Burke personally benefitted from self-insurance payments, at least one Social Security tax refund, and credit card purchases, all totaling over $41,000.
The report said the Pool District lacked adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with state regulations. The findings were referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office and later passed on to the state Attorney General’s Office due to what County Prosecutor Mark Nichols called “a conflict of interest”. The Pool District’s Board of Commissioners include Randy Johnson and Mike French, both County Commissioners.
The resolution cites the board’s “reputational risk” arising from Burke’s conduct and the importance of community confidence in public institutions, and it says, “leadership involves understanding when stepping aside is in the best interest of an organization”.
The resolution, which will be presented at the May 1 meeting, says Burke’s “position as Vice President of the board will be rescinded, along with all attendant Commission roles and committee assignments, and Port representations.”
We reached out to Burke for a statement but have not heard back.
Burke was reelected to the Board of Commissioners in November, garnering over 80% of the vote.