Olympia Man Facing Drug Charges Still Serving On City Council

Olympia City Councilman Joe Hyer pleaded not guilty to felony drug charges on Tuesday and a few hours later attended a City Council meeting.

Hyer is charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school zone and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Hyer’s home is near two schools, Avanti High School and Madison Elementary.

After he entered his plea, Hyer was at a City Council meeting discussing multimillion-dollar decisions about the city's future.

Community member Dolores Todd said Hyer should not be serving on the council while facing criminal charges.

"Why is he making choices and important things about our community," Todd said.

Stephen Buxbaum was the only council member willing to speak to KIRO 7 about Hyer's situation saying, "All of us were saddened by the situation Joe faces, and I think we need to wait and see how things unfold."

"I think he should recuse himself, and my wife agrees," said Dolores Todd’s husband Robert Todd.

KIRO 7 reporter Richard Thompson talked to Hyer Wednesday and he said he would not comment on his future role with the City Council.

Previous Stories: March 9, 2010: Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Answers To Drug Charges February 24, 2010: Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Charged With Selling Pot February 19, 2010: Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Arrested, Accused Of Selling Pot