Public records lawsuit filed against city of Blaine

A civil lawsuit filed in Whatcom County Superior Court on August 8 alleges that the city of Blaine systematically violated the state Public Records Act and failed to respond in a timely manner, denied physical inspection of documents and concealed certain environmental documents.

The lawsuit was filed by Geoffrey Baker, who uses the pseudonym Otto Pointer, on behalf of the Blaine Water Coalition. It’s unclear how many people are involved in the coalition.

The 112-page complaint seeks injunctive relief, daily penalties up to $100 per day, attorney fees and systemic reforms to prevent future PRA violations.

Baker has threatened legal action against the city numerous times after he began regularly attending Blaine City Council meetings in fall 2023, following council’s approval of large manufactured home parks in east Blaine. Baker is part of a handful of people who’ve since voiced concern on the city’s transparency and made claims about the city to the community and other government organizations. City officials have repeatedly tried to counter those claims and have at times labeled them as misinformation.

City officials previously said the group has inundated them with public records requests since late 2023, which has slowed the barebones staff and cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. The city requested help from state legislators last year to see if any changes could be made to the public records act that kept transparency but provided additional support to small governments.

Baker has used the pseudonym Otto Pointer in previous dealings with the city and has filed a motion with the court asking that his real name be sealed. The motion cites RCW 4.24.510 (anti-SLAPP protection) and GR15 (sealing records) as justification for the request. Baker’s name was not initially redacted from the public lawsuit.

Using RCW 4.24.510 is a novel application of the law as anti-SLAPP laws are designed to protect individuals from retaliatory lawsuits, not against using pseudonyms in government proceedings. Baker’s real name has already been disclosed in city documents and published in The Northern Light. A hearing on the protection motion was set for 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 22 in front of Superior Court Judge Robert E. Olson.

It wasn’t immediately known whether Baker had legal representation. The city’s counsel also is not yet known.