Preferential treatment for Discovery Park wedding could cost parks chief | Politics

The Superintendent of Seattle City Parks and Recreation has agreed to pay a $300 fine after his own office issued him a wedding permit for a location not open to anyone else's wedding.

Documents from the city's ethics commission reveal that in the days leading up to Tim Gallagher's March 21st 2009 wedding he was told by the Mayor's office that he needed a permit to hold his ceremony on Discovery Park's Chapel Lawn.

Gallagher told the commission based on conversations with his staff he previously didn't believe such a permit was required, but after the order from the Mayor's office he requested one.

The ethics report then says: 

On March 20, 2009, Gallagher’s assistant called the Parks Department’s Event Scheduling Office to obtain a permit for his wedding. The Event Scheduling Office created a new designation in its system for Discovery Park weddings – “Park Outdoor Space” – and issue a permit specifying that location for the wedding. The designation was created solely for Gallagher’s wedding, and has not been used on any Discovery Park wedding permits issued subsequent to Gallagher’s wedding.

Wayne Barnett, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission chair, says he doesn't believe Gallagher even knew of the special designation at the time.

Still Barnett says,  "As the parks superintendent he had an obligation to ensure he wasn't given any special treatment."

No chairs or structures were set up for Gallagher's wedding.  The event lasted no longer than 15 minutes and included under 50 people.  The wedding reception was also held outside Discovery Park.

Still Barnett notes the only place the parks department has historically given wedding permits to anyone else has been for the meadow near the Daybreak Star Overlook.

The ethics commission is expected to accept the settlement, which includes the $300 fine, during its scheduled Wednesday meeting.