A state agency has declined to formally investigate claims made by a Sumner city councilman that the mayor and other officials broke the law by allowing comments at council meetings meant to help his opponent in a state legislative race.

Councilman Matt Richardson, who unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Pam Roach in last fall’s election, filed the complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission on Nov. 15.

The interim executive director of the agency wrote in a letter to Richardson this week that evidence wasn’t provided that the city broke the law. The city gave the letter to The News Tribune this …

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Sumner has a new deputy mayor.

The City Council on Monday night picked Cindi Hochstatter from within its ranks to serve a one-year term in the post. Her duties will include running council meetings when Mayor Dave Enslow is absent.

“I’m very happy I received the support I did. Thank you,” Hochstatter said.

She’s the only woman on the seven-member council and was elected to her seat in 2007.

The vote to select her as deputy mayor was 6-1, with Councilman Matt Richardson – who’s clashed with some on the council, including Hochstatter, in recent months – casting the …

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