Sunnyside residents want councilwoman recalled after city manager put on leave
The Sunnyside community is demanding action after the city council voted to place city manager Mike Gonzalez on paid administrative leave Monday.
The council’s split decision seemed to be related to an ongoing dispute with recently appointed Councilwoman Theresa Hancock, who has been accused of harassment by Gonzalez and at least one other city staff member.
Tensions spilled over during the meeting, with community members saying they were met with racist comments.
Now some in the community are organizing an effort to recall Hancock, pointing to what they believe is a troubling pattern of behavior.
Gonzalez was the economic development manager in Pasco from June 2021-March 2023 before leaving to become Franklin County administrator. He led the county for about a year before leaving during a criminal investigation of elected officials.
According to the Sunnyside Sun, Gonzalez filed a human resources complaint against Councilwoman Theresa Hancock on May 11, accusing her of harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
In Gonzalez’s complaint, he detailed a series of alleged incidents since Hancock’s appointment, including accusations of harassment, surveillance, undermining administrative procedures, hostility during meetings, disruption of city operations and defamation.
Grounds for recall
Sunnyside local Chelsea Dimas told the Tri-City Herald that racism is very much active in the city, which is almost 90% Hispanic.
At the city council meeting this week, Dimas heard “disgusting racist comments” during public comment. Some people at the meeting decided to leave because the mood in the room became so tense.
At one point Mayor Dean Broersma threatened to recess the meeting.
Dimas was a Democratic House candidate for the 14th Legislative District in 2024, which saw Latino candidates targeted in racist campaign texts.
She’s heard from current and former city employees who say Hancock created a hostile work environment and shares information outside of closed executive sessions.
Hancock served on Sunnyside City Council from 2005-2017 and was appointed to fill a vacancy in March. She was the only applicant for the District 1 seat after former Councilman Martin Beeler resigned.
“This is just not okay,” Dimas said. “If you’re in a position of influence where you’re supposed to be serving community, your job is to work in collaboration with all folks, regardless of different opinions. Your goal is to make decisions for the community.”
The Yakima Valley community organization Raíces posted a call to action on social media this week to recall Hancock, stating that she was appointed in March “without community input or even an interview.”
The organization posted a petition online on June 5. It’s garnered more than 50 signatures as of Friday morning.
HR manager files restraining order
Sunnyside human resources manager Irving Brown filed a protection order against Hancock for harassment on May 30.
According to Yakima County Superior Court documents obtained by the Herald, Brown said that Hancock had engaged in a “course of conduct designed to annoy or harass.” He also wrote that the distress is impacting his health.
The order requires that Hancock stay 50 feet from Brown, his home and his vehicle. She cannot harm, contact or stalk Brown.
Hancock submitted a sworn statement to Sunnyside Police Department on May 20 alleging that Brown made threats against her during a staff leadership meeting and that Gonzalez, Fire Chief Cameron Haubrich and Police Commander Johnnie Gusby did not take any action.
Brown responded to the allegations in the protection order.
“I have been the target of damaging hearsay and false allegations, including a baseless police report that lacks merit and truth,” he said.
Gonzalez on leave
Dimas said she was shocked by the city council’s decision to place Gonzalez on administrative leave.
“There was nothing from attending previous council meetings and watching them that has made me think that there was any concern about the work that (Gonzalez) had been doing.”
“Folks have been very happy with his work and have actually been really surprised to have a city manager that has been so proactive in the community.”
“We see Mike everywhere, or we did.”
The Sunnyside Sun reported that the city council delayed its decision to hire an interim city manager on June 4. Haubrich will stay in the role until at least June 9. The city plans to conduct an internal investigation with O’Sullivan Legal PLLC.
