Rushing's comments lead to new era for Airway Heights

When someone posts an offensive picture or comment on their personal social media account, it can ruin their professional life.

Former Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing experienced this in July when he came under fire for posting a comment on his personal Facebook account in response to a friend’s comment, comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to a “gorilla” and referring to President Barack Obama as “Monkey-man.” Rushing made a public apology and said his comments were not meant to offend anyone. The comment garnered negative attention on a national scale for Rushing and the city of Airway Heights, which is why it is No. 3 on the Cheney Free Press Top-10 stories of 2015.

Word of Rushing’s comment broke on the TV news on the weekend of July 10. During the July 13 study session, City Council went into a 30-minute executive session regarding Rushing’s comment, as well as his performance as a public official. After the executive session, various council members said they were displeased with Rushing’s comment and that his words do not reflect their values, nor the views of the city’s residents. They asked Rushing to resign from his position as mayor, which he refused.

Council also voted for city attorney Stanley Schwartz to draft a resolution stating Rushing’s comments do not reflect the views of Airway Heights’ staff or citizens, and asking for his resignation from office. The resolution would also impose control measures on the mayor’s position. Throughout the next month residents, city staff and advisory boards said they had no confidence in Rushing’s ability to lead the city and asked for his resignation.

Council approved the resolution at its Aug. 20 meeting. Some sanctions imposed from the resolution included not allowing the mayor to make any written or oral statements regarding the city without receiving advanced approval from the Community and Economic Development Subcommittee.

It restricted the mayor from traveling outside of Spokane County to represent city interests without prior approval of council. The mayor was also removed from local committees. During this time Rushing resigned from his position on the West Plains Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Washington Cities.

In an earlier interview, Schwartz told the Cheney Free Press that council does not have the power to remove the mayor, though voters can bring a recall petition to remove the mayor from office. It never came to that.

Hours before the Aug. 17 City Council meeting, Rushing sent his resignation letter to staff. In the letter he cited health issues as the primary reason for his resignation.

“After 15 years and eight months of continuous service to the city of Airway Heights and having survived three rounds of cancer, I find it difficult to continue due to my declining health issues,” Rushing wrote.

Airway Heights has moved on since the controversy. Council appointed then-deputy mayor Kevin Richey as the new mayor.

“I hope over the next couple of years I can prove that I deserve this honor,” Richey said after council appointed him at the Sept. 7 meeting. “And I do see this (being mayor) as an honor.”

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.