Armen Yousoufian's Blog

After 30 years in business/investment real estate, I added "citizen activist" to my resume in 1997 when I requested sports stadium documents of King County Executive Ron Sims. After being "stonewalled", I sued, winning more at every stage, up to the state Supreme Court. Documents disgorged by Sims (after 4 years denying they existed!) revealed rigged studies. Sims misled the public on the stadiums. Other issues found me (e.g. Critical Areas Ordinance). Google “Armen Yousoufian” for more.

Name:
Location: Vashon, Washington, United States

I was born and raised in New York City. I took classical violin lessons for 10 years and studied astronomy. I built telescopes, grinding the mirrors from scratch. I was a nerd! I considered a career in classical violin but chose astrophysics. I majored in Physics at Rutgers University for 2 years, then switched and graduated in mechanical engineering. I moved to Seattle in 1969 to work on missiles for Boeing, got an MBA from Seattle University, and became a business and real estate entrepreneur for over 30 years. In 1997 I became involved in open government activism when I asked King County Executive Ron Sims for sports stadium documents. I was stonewalled. I sued under the Open Records, or Public Disclosure, Act. I won the case in King County Superior Court, but still didn’t get all the documents, nor recovered my legal fees, which the law said I was entitled to be reimbursed. I appealed and won more in the Court of Appeals and the court of public opinion. But I still didn’t get all the documents! I appealed again and won yet more in the Washington State Supreme Court. But I still don’t have all the documents! While that fight goes on I have become involved in new issues.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

September 22, 2009 state Supreme Court oral argument 3rd time

There has been an unusual development in my case, which has already made two full trips through the King County trial court, Division I of the Court of Appeals, and state Supreme Court levels since 2001.

On September 22, 2009, my case will be heard by the state Supreme Court - for a third time. It's scheduled to be the 2nd case on the 9 AM calendar. See also the link below, and scroll down to September 22, 2009: http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/supreme/calendar/?fa=atc_supreme_calendar.display&year=2009&file=docfal09#A5

This is because, on June 12, 2009, the Washington State Supreme Court recalled its decision of January 15, 2009. Shortly thereafter, oral argument was scheduled for the case to be heard again.

Unlike the previous two oral arguments, which occurred "on the road" at the University of Washington and Seattle University law schools, in February, 2004 and February, 2008, respectively, this time the location will be the Temple of Justice in Olympia, on the Capitol campus.

As indicated per the link above, 2 of the 9 justices have recused (Justices Sanders and Stephens). One justice pro tem , will substitute for one of them. It appears that 8 justices, vs the normal 9, will hear the case. (September 7, 2009 update: a second justice pro tem has since been appointed.)

As usual, anyone may attend.

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