Petrelis Files

Michael R. Fancher
mfancher@seattletimes.com
Executive Editor
The Seattle Times

Dear Mr. Fancher:

I've been researching political donations from Seattle Times executives and editorial staff, and, to my surprise, have discovered the following contributions on campaign finance disclosure web sites.

These donations from Seattle Times employees forces me to question if your newspaper has a policy prohibiting such political giving. If you do, then why are so many employees making these donating?

On the other hand, if the Seattle Times does not ban political giving by editorial staff, how does your publication maintain objectivity?

A search of the Seattle Times web site does not turn up a single disclosure in the paper about the donations, which I find troubling, as a news consumer dedicated to increasing transparency at news outlets.

Can you please tell me what the policy is at the Seattle Times regarding political contributions from executives and editorial staff?

A prompt reply is respectfully requested and appreciated.

Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^

www.tray.com

Federal Donations:

Redlawsk, Mark A. Mr.
4/14/2004 $250.00
Silverdale, WA 98383
The Seattle Times/Computer Analyst -[Contribution]
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE

KELLY, CAROLYN
12/10/2003 $250.00
SEATTLE, WA 98119
SEATTLE TIMES -[Contribution]
PEOPLE FOR PATTY MURRAY U S SENATE CAMPAIGN

PETERSON, DALE
6/8/2004 $1,000.00
SEATTLE, WA 98107
SEATTLE TIMES -[Contribution]
NETHERCUTT FOR SENATE

Tiller, Anne
2/9/2004 $900.00
Seattle, WA 98107
Seattle Times/Online Art -[Contribution]
CLARK FOR PRESIDENT INC

Runnberg, Lawrence
2/15/2002 $240.00
Maple Valley, WA 98038
Seattle Times/Zone Assistant -[Contribution]
WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE

SCHILPEROOT, KRIS
12/29/1995 $250.00
SEATTLE, WA
SEATTLE TIMES -[Contribution]
WASHINGTON STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY-FEDERAL ACCOUNT

KELLY, CAROLYN
10/21/1994 $200.00
SEATTLE, WA 98109
SEATTLE TIMES -[Contribution]
RON SIMS FOR U S SENATE

BLETHEN, FRANK A
3/13/1992 $500.00
SEATTLE, WA 98111
SEATTLE TIMES -[Contribution]
DANIEL K INOUYE IN '92

- - -

http://www.pdc.wa.gov/

State and Local Donations:

LOCKE GARY F
08/09/2000
$950.00
KELLY CAROLYN
SEATTLE WA 98109
SEATTLE TIMES CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER

PAGELER MARGARET A
01/22/2004
$300.00
KELLY CAROLYN
SEATTLE WA 98119
SEATTLE TIMES MANAGING DIRECTOR

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
12/08/2003
$250.00
KELLY CAROLYN
SEATTLE WA 98119
SEATTLE TIMES COO

LOCKE GARY F
05/02/2000
$250.00
KELLY CAROLYN
SEATTLE WA 98109
SEATTLE TIMES CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER

LOCKE GARY F
05/02/2000
$250.00
NUMATA LARRY & S MAE
MERCER ISLAND WA 98040
THE SEATTLE TIMES VP AND CEO

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
07/16/2004
$200.00
JEUDE MAUREEN
EDMONDS WA 98020
SEATTLE TIMES MANAGER

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
12/01/1999
$200.00
JEUDE MAURINE
EDMONDS WA 98020
SEATTLE TIMES DATABASE MGR

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
05/22/2000
$200.00
JEUDE MAURINE
EDMONDS WA 98020
SEATTLE TIMES DATABASE MGR

MALENG NORMAN K
04/25/2002
$100.00
CURRENT SHARON A
SEATTLE WA 98177
THE SEATTLE TIMES CORP MARKETING

CARLSON JOHN E
05/26/2000
$100.00
DAZEY JAYDENE
DUVALL WA 98019
SEATTLE TIMES ROUTE DRIVER

CARLSON JOHN E
11/02/2000
$100.00
DAZEY JAYDENE
DUVALL WA 98019
SEATTLE TIMES ROUTE DRIVER

CARLSON JOHN E
09/21/2000 $100.00
DAZEY JAYDENE
DUVALL WA 98019
SEATTLE TIMES ROUTE DRIVER

SCHOOLS FIRST COALITION
01/29/2004
$100.00
LARGE JERRY
SEATTLE WA 98118
SEATTLE TIMES JOURNALIST

SOMMERS HELEN E
07/08/2004 $100.00
MACKIE JILL R
SEATTLE WA 98199
THE SEATTLE TIMES CO DIR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

CREELMAN PAUL
08/27/2001
$100.00
MARKERT KEVIN J
LA CONNER WA 98257
THE SEATTLE TIMES PRESS REPAIRMAN

CHASE MARALYN
12/03/2001
$100.00
MURRAY EMMETT
KIRKLAND WA 98033
SEATTLE TIMES EDITOR

LOVICK JOHNNY R
06/18/2004
$100.00
WRIGHT DIANE M.
EVERETT WA 98203
SEATTLE TIMES STAFF REPORTER

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
05/22/2000
$60.00
JEUDE MAURINE
EDMONDS WA 98020
SEATTLE TIMES DATABASE MGR

CARLSON JOHN E
09/28/2000
$50.00
GARRETT GREG
SEATTLE WA 98166
SEATTLE TIMES NEWSPAPER SENIOR DISTRICT ADVISOR

LOCKE GARY F
08/09/2000
$50.00
KELLY CAROLYN
SEATTLE WA 98109
SEATTLE TIMES CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER

CLIBBORN JUDITH R
08/13/2004
$50.00
STATON RHONDA BAILEY MS
MERCER ISLAND WA 98040
SEATTLE TIMES MARKETING REP.

SCHOOLS FIRST COALITION
11/13/2003
$50.00
THOMPSON LYNN
SEATTLE WA 98122
SEATTLE TIMES REPORTER

CARLSON JOHN E
08/29/2000
$50.00
WARN BRAIN AND RENITA
SEATTLE WA 98115
SEATTLE TIMES INTERNET SUPPORT TECH.

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
05/11/2004
$25.00
CHERNIS DIANE
SEATTLE WA 98115
THE SEATTLE TIMES EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
07/23/2004
$25.00
DAHL CAROL
BRIER WA 98036
SEATTLE TIMES MARKETING RESEARCH

SCHOOLS FIRST COALITION
01/27/2004
$25.00
KHUU LUCY
SEATTLE WA 98144
SEATTLE TIMES MAILER

SCHOOLS FIRST COALITION
11/21/2003
$25.00
MACKIE JILL
SEATTLE WA 98109
SEATTLE TIMES NEWS

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
05/24/2004
$10.00
LUSK CHESTER
SEATTLE WA 98109
SEATTLE TIMES MAILER

GREGOIRE CHRISTINE O
08/09/2004
$10.00
LUSK CHESTER
SEATTLE WA 98109
SEATTLE TIMES MAILER