Kenton Gartrell

Sunnyside, WA — On Monday night, the Sunnyside City Council voted to appoint Kenton Gartrell, a Yakima resident well known for his radical political leanings, to the Climate Resiliency Board — a body charged with preparing the city for drought, extreme heat, and flooding.

The decision shocked many because Gartrell was chosen over four highly qualified Sunnyside residents:

• Juan Alvarez — a public works veteran with a lifetime of service and a deep understanding of climate and public policy.
• Cody Driscoll — a respected educator with a long career in the geosciences.
• Brenda Barrios — a community leader with a master’s degree and years of recognized service.
• Sandra Zesati — a lifelong Sunnyside resident, school board candidate, and community volunteer.
• WATCH YOUTUBE OF MEETING

These candidates offered experience, credibility, and direct ties to Sunnyside. Instead, the council majority handed the appointment to a figure known more for political drama than problem-solving.

The Council’s New Bloc

Theresa Hancock and Deputy Mayor Jorge Galvan

Councilors Vicki Ripley, Theresa Hancock, Jorge Galvan, and Keren Vazquez pushed Gartrell’s appointment through, cementing themselves as a faction critics call the council’s new “loyalty bloc.” Their political ties to Gartrell are no secret — Gartrell has even endorsed Ripley’s reelection campaign and frequently aligns with their rhetoric online.

“We have an applicant we discussed, and I believe we should move forward,” said Deputy Mayor, pushing for Gartrell’s appointment.

“I agree with Deputy Mayor. It’s been out there long enough we had an applicant, we were ready to move forward, and I don’t think it’s fair to him to keep him hanging on,” said Councilor Vicki Ripley.

For many residents, Monday’s vote made it clear: political allegiance outweighed qualifications.

Vicky Frausto Pushes Back

Not everyone on the dais agreed. Councilor Vicky Frausto pushed back forcefully against Gartrell’s appointment, citing his host of misdeeds and questionable character. Frausto argued that Sunnyside deserves board members who elevate the city, not drag it into unnecessary controversy.

“I would like for us to follow due process and that the applicants that took their time and are interested in participating in this committee or committees and representing our city are counted. Deputy Mayor you bring up this issue on a on a regular basis that we aren’t getting much interest, or people aren’t following through. So now we have three, maybe four applicants that submitted their application, and you’re trying to do away with that. So why the counter now?, said Councilor Frausto”

A Troubling Record

Frausto’s concerns were not without basis. Gartrell’s record includes:

• Yakima City Council campaign scandal: Filmed slapping a phone out of a woman’s hand during a confrontation — an incident reported by KIMA-TV.

• School board campaign dust-up: Formally warned by the Yakima School District to change his behavior at public meetings or face a no-trespass order.
• Suspended from youth soccer officiating: According to Washington Youth Soccer, sidelined after allegations that he made inappropriate remarks to a  female referee.

Cease-and-Desist Letter Raises Eyebrows

Adding to the controversy, Gartrell sent a cease-and-desist letter on Tuesday morning, August 26th — the day after Monday night’s council meeting — to Councilor Vicki Frausto, suggesting that he is not a public figure and demanding she stop criticizing him. It was clearly not written by an attorney and hand delivered by Gartrell himself. Cease and Desist letters are typically sent by a courier or certified mail. Councilor Frausto also tells La Voz news that Gartrell put one of these letters in her mailbox at her home – a violation of federal law – because only mail carriers are permitted to put mail into a USPS box. If nothing else it’s creepy and invasion of boundaries.

But Gartrell’s own record proves he is in fact a PUBLIC FIGURE:

• He has run for public office on multiple occasions, including Yakima City Council.
• He serves as a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) with the Yakima County Republican Party.
• He is a constant presence in online political debates, frequently inserting himself into hot-button community issues.

By every measure under U.S. law, that makes Gartrell a public figure — someone who cannot simply hide from scrutiny when his own behavior is in question.

Legal Precedent: Why Gartrell Is a Public Figure

The U.S. Supreme Court settled this debate long ago in the landmark case New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964). The ruling held that public officials — and by extension, public figures — cannot use defamation law to silence critics unless they prove statements were made with “actual malice,” meaning knowingly false or reckless disregard for the truth.

Over the years, courts have expanded the definition of “public figure” to include not only elected officials but also candidates for public office, political party officers, and individuals who voluntarily inject themselves into public controversies.

Why All This Matters?

The Climate Resiliency Board was created to advise Sunnyside on preparing for extreme weather and environmental risks. Appointing someone with no relevant expertise and a record of divisive behavior undermines the credibility of the board before its work even begins.

The Council’s Responsibility

The responsibility for this decision now rests squarely with Ripley, Hancock, Galvan, and Vazquez. If the board falters or becomes politicized under Gartrell’s presence, the community will remember who forced his appointment.

Ripley’s Alliance With Gartrell

Councilor Vicki Ripley’s growing alliance with Kenton Gartrell is raising serious questions about judgment, priorities, and whose interests are truly being served on the Sunnyside City Council.

A Political Friendship Cemented

Ripley and Gartrell’s friendship has been visible ever since Councilor Theresa Hancock joined the council. Gartrell openly endorsed Ripley’s campaign for reelection, and since then, the two have been seen together at several public functions, often joined by Hancock and Councilor Jorge Galvan.

Ripley Endorses Kenton Gartrell’s Campaign on May 7^th

Observers note that Ripley and Hancock appear to have embraced Gartrell as a political ally, despite his history of controversial statements and public dust-ups.

Vazquez Joins the Bloc 

Councilor Keren Vazquez has also increasingly aligned herself with this bloc, joining Ripley, Hancock, and Galvan in what critics describe as a troubling political coalition.

A Disconnect With the Community

For Sunnyside residents — especially immigrant families who make up a large portion of the city — Ripley’s alliance with Gartrell is more than tone-deaf. It feels like a betrayal. Gartrell has been an outspoken supporter of Trump policies of deportation. Despite Sunnyside’s economic dependence on the undocumented immigrant community, Latino councilors Vazquez and Galvan continue to defy their race and logic and support these far right policies.

“Why would Latino councilors stand shoulder-to-shoulder with someone who wants to deport their own community?” one resident asked after learning of the bloc’s growing ties. “It makes no sense.”

Sunnyside Deserves Better

At a time when Sunnyside needs expertise, credibility, and forward-thinking leadership, the council majority delivered an embarrassing spectacle. Residents deserved a board filled with problem-solvers like Alvarez, Driscoll, Barrios, and Zesati. Instead, they got Kenton Gartrell — courtesy of Ripley, Hancock, Galvan, and Vazquez.