Ephrata denounces misleading petition about Wren

EPHRATA - The City of Ephrata announced it did not take part in a petition to terminate Port of Ephrata Manager Mike Wren.

The petition appears to be a hoax, attacking Wren's reputation, because of the port's business with Washington Tire Company.

The petition was circulated to a select group of people in Ephrata by e-mail from an invalid AOL account, according to Ephrata City Manager Wes Crago.

"It came directly to my e-mail address at 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning," said Crago. "It does not appear to be Ephrata citizens that wrote it."

The petition seeks Wren's termination for alleged "mismanagement of the Port of Ephrata" and "incompetence and poor judgment regarding Washington Tire Company." The author of the petition accuses Wren of losing "thousands of dollars" and causing "great embarrassment and humiliation to the Ephrata community."

American Tire Company representatives began purchasing 100 acres of property at the Port of Ephrata with $40,000 in earnest money two years ago, promising to build a tire factory and hire up to 2,000 employees.

When the port took steps to ensure they were operating with a real company, it was revealed the spokesperson used a false identity. The port lost contact with the company representatives and ended the sale in September.

"The buck stops here and I stand by our pursuit and withdrawal of the American Tire project," said Wren. "The petition does not represent the support I have received from the people of Ephrata."

The City of Ephrata is concerned with the presentation of the petition. There is no contact information contained in the petition and it bears the City of Ephrata logo.

"This document is in no way associated with the City of Ephrata and falsely represent itself so ... the City of Ephrata disagrees with the premise of the document," Crago stated.

The city logo is displayed in the upper left corner of the petition. Crago suggests this could be illegal.

"It has our city logo and could violate state law ... it has nothing to do with the City of Ephrata. It appears to be fictitious," said Crago.

The laws state anyone using a brand - in this case the city logo - without permission and with intent to "confuse or commingle" the document with a city document, could face a felony charge and a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of $1,000.

Without intent to confuse people with the document, the perpetrator could face a misdemeanor charge, according to RCW 9.16.020.

The people listed as signing the petition do not appear to live in the city.

"The names that are legible do not appear to be citizens of Ephrata," Crago said. "We are extremely upset."

The city would not take part in a petition to remove a public official, he added.

"The City of Ephrata, mayor, and city council fully support both the Port of Ephrata and their manager, Mike Wren," Crago stated. "We have a long working history with Mr. Wren; his integrity, professionalism and job performance have greatly benefitted our community. The City of Ephrata is proud to be associated with both the port and Mr. Wren."

Wren said the petition doesn't bother him and he would enjoy talking to the originator over a cup of coffee.

"I would love to have the opportunity to hear this person's view," said Wren. "But I doubt that will happen."

A similar attack took place on the manager for the Port of Moses Lake. It listed a phone number leading to a pay phone near the Grant County International Airport.