Cashmere museum boss defends candidate

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Cashmere museum boss defends candidate

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

EAST WENATCHEE — The board president of the Cashmere Valley Museum and Pioneer Village defended Cashmere City Council candidate John W. Bryant against allegations of sexual harassment, writing a letter that calls Bryant’s female accusers “little sows.”

Dean Rainey’s Oct. 27 letter.

Dean Rainey sent a letter Thursday to the Wenatchee World reporter who wrote an Oct. 14 article about a pending sexual harassment lawsuit against Bryant, and about his multiple past convictions for domestic violence.

“Perhaps you could do a front page article on those little sows you mentioned in the article,” Rainey wrote. “Mention all the money they stole from John, showing up only have (sic) the time, drunk, no drives (sic) licence, jail time & bail outs.”

A female former employee of Bryant’s catering company, JASCO/Cascade Catering, says in a lawsuit he made unwanted sexual advances while she was on the job, and paid her less because of her gender. Bryant pleaded guilty or was convicted of fourth-degree assault against his then-wife three times between 1994 and 1996, and pleaded guilty to similar crimes against women in 2001 and 2007.

Dean Rainey

Cashmere museum board president

Rainey, 62, an East Wenatchee signmaker, has been affiliated with the Cashmere museum since 2000 and currently serves as board president. Bryant, 45, until last week the sole candidate for City Council Position 5, is a former museum boardmember. Dave Erickson, a Cashmere resident and director of Wenatchee’s city parks, declared himself a write-in candidate for the seat Oct. 24.

Reached by phone Monday, Rainey confirmed writing the letter and said Bryant has been a longtime supporter and friend of the museum, which operates the Pioneer Village tourism site on its grounds.

“John has backed us 100 percent for a lot of years and has spent a lot of his own time and donations to the museum, and actually, I gotta tell you, I’m going to back John 100 percent when it comes to something like this,” Rainey said.

John W. Bryant

Elected to Cashmere City Council Position 5

Rainey said Bryant’s business has been affected by untrustworthy employees who’ve failed to show up for work at times. Rainey said he himself had to serve food and remove garbage at a museum function catered by Bryant’s business after some Cascade Catering staffers didn’t appear.

“The only thing John is really guilty of is hiring a bunch of scumbags to work with him,” Rainey said of Bryant’s employees.

The former catering worker suing Bryant, Kayla Troglia, has no criminal charges on record in Washington. Bryant filed a response to Troglia’s lawsuit Wednesday, denying her claims of sexual harassment and unequal pay on the basis of gender.

Document

Troglia vs. Bryant

Download .PDF

Document

Bryant response

Download .PDF

Rainey at first wouldn’t comment on his characterization of Bryant’s female staffers as “little sows.” Asked repeatedly about the phrase, he said, “What do you want me to call them? I’m just not getting what you’re talking about.”

Besides the lawsuit, Bryant has been convicted or pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault on his then-wife twice in 1994, once in 1996 and once in 1997; pleaded guilty to violating a protective order taken out by his second wife in 2001; and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in a domestic violence case in 2007. In 2003 a former girlfriend sought a protective order on allegations that Bryant stalked and intimidated her; the order wasn’t granted.

“It doesn’t sound like there was any fists thrown or anything like that, by the sounds of things” Rainey said of the abuse. “I’ve never heard of him beating up anybody.”

The Wenatchee World went “way, way, way overboard” in reporting the story, Rainey said.

“The thing I liked about the article the best is when John said he takes full responsibility,” he said. “That’s at least being a man about it. End of story.”

Jefferson Robbins: 664-7123

robbins@wenatcheeworld.com

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» 46 comments on this story

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NotMatt 1 year, 6 months ago

Wow... is this a joke?

roadracer 1 year, 6 months ago

Nope it is not. I too, was a victim of John's just like the young gal who"s suing him now. He and the museum "President" must both be totally stupid! And fyi, John can't spell well either!

H 1 year, 6 months ago

I'd say Dean Rainey needs to learn how to spell, among other things, like choosing better friends.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

Wow....just wow!

Sounds like some changes at the museum and a wise vote for the city council would be in order.

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

I'll have to agree with that Chris!

davebugg 1 year, 6 months ago

I would make a bet that Mr. Rainey now wishes that he had called Mr. Robbins instead of writing.

amatterofoppinion 1 year, 6 months ago

LOL i love it!!

AmyG 1 year, 6 months ago

Interesting....someone needs to give both of these guys a lesson in Public Relations. I think in this instance the phrase "bad press is better than no press" probably doesn't apply.

godawgs01 1 year, 6 months ago

AmyG, I think it's safe to say that Mr. Rainey Coug'd it.

Annsboy 1 year, 6 months ago

The sad fact is that anyone can file a discrimination suit and to the public your guilty even if proven innocent.

trebor462 1 year, 6 months ago

Even scumbags and little sows????

novarama 1 year, 6 months ago

Which might be an interesting point of discussion had Mr Bryant been found innocent of the charges enumerated in this article...

shinebright 1 year, 6 months ago

Wow! This guy is a real piece of work! It's always cause for concern when someone defends someone in such a manner like calling these women names? Maybe he and Bryant share beliefs about women. Yuck. Sounds like he needs replaced as well...

douglas 1 year, 6 months ago

When you consider that Mr. Robbins mentioned the Museum once in the 5th graph as a list of Cashmere organizations Mr. Bryant served with (something I assume Mr. Bryant would not hesitate to mention had the race been competetive), Mr. Rainey's response does seem to be a little more than a little over the top.

INMYOWNWORDS 1 year, 6 months ago

Someone call Jerry Springer! More small town garbage!

Stever 1 year, 6 months ago

So much for notice pleading. That has to be the most poorly drafted complaint I've ever read. Additionally, the Cashmere Museum is a fine institution and the Board needs to step up immediately and remove the blight from any connection with it.

amatterofoppinion 1 year, 6 months ago

I love the part when Rainy says,“It doesn’t sound like there was any fists thrown or anything like that, by the sounds of things” Rainey said of the abuse. “I’ve never heard of him beating up anybody.” Wooooow Mr.Rainy try that hooked on phonics again and read the paragraph where your Mr.Bryant pleaded GUILTY!!! multiple times to abuse and violated protection orders!! Way to go Rainy

amatterofoppinion 1 year, 6 months ago

Oh and as for the "little sows" comment, I'd check who has worked for him in the past Mr.Rainy before you go spouting off like that. You could be pissing off someone who fully backs Ms.Troglia. Not to mention you have now given another "little sow" enough frustration and anger to where Im sure the courts will be hearing another set of issues. Thankyou for giving the strength needed for another person to stand up Mr.Rainy. Question:Do you think Mr.Bryant needed you to upset anymore people than he already has....

SheepDawg 1 year, 6 months ago

It's time for the Cashmere Valley Museum Board to clean things up. I grew up in Cashmere and dearly loved to visit the site. My Great Grandma contributed to the museum years ago. There's way too many quality folks in the community that can be part of the Cashmere Valley Museum and Cashmere City Counsil.

I say dump both Rainey and Bryant on their arses and recruit someone with good moral character and class. Can I hear a Amen?

H 1 year, 6 months ago

You know Mr. Raineys' response to this not only looks bad for the Cashmere Museum but also for the City of Cashmere. I know one doesn't have anything to do with the other, but it LOOKS bad.

douglas 1 year, 6 months ago

And gives legs to the original story.

UWGal 1 year, 6 months ago

I agree with the other posters here. Mr. Rainey should be terminated immediately. Not only does he refer to members of the public as cows but he also has put the Museum in a very bad light. I will not support the Cashmere Museum until he is terminated, no matter who his friends are.

11Bravo 1 year, 6 months ago

UWGal, if you had went to WSU you would know that "sows" are female swine.:)

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

Q: Know why the WSU football teams plays on artificial turf?

A: So the cheerleaders won't graze.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

Q: Know how you keep a Husky out of your back yard?

A: Put in a goal post.

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Hahahaaaaa! That's funny 11Bravo! I hope you don't mind me saying that if you had gone to the UW you would know what is wrong with your post to UWGal. :-)

Suz 1 year, 6 months ago

Good one Jimbo!

Stever 1 year, 6 months ago

And if you attended Gonzaga, you would neither know nor care what the difference is (if any)!!

JimboBear 1 year, 6 months ago

Heck, I didn't go to either, Stever, and I know there is a difference.
Aside from that, I hope that everyone is being silly about this "you'd know better" business as I am. We all get our tongues tied up from time to time in a forum like this.

rebaann1939 1 year, 6 months ago

I can't believe he actually wrote and mailed that! He needs a proofreader.

EllBee 1 year, 6 months ago

Agreed, I wanted to grade his paper. Sad, he comes across wanting to keep the museum out of it and all he does is draw attention to it. Geez!

11Bravo 1 year, 6 months ago

LOL!

RedBaron 1 year, 6 months ago

Is the Wenatchee World jumping on the Herman Cain bandwagon?

It's a position on the Cashmere City council....not the presidency of the USA. Give up "Cashmere-gate" small town nonsense already.

How lame.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

What on earth does Herman Cain have to do with this article?

You don't think it's relevant that a city council candidate has a long history of arrests and convictions for abuse and violence toward women? You don't think that it's relevant that the president of the museum board obnoxiously supports and defends said candidate and seems to demonstrate some misogynist tendencies of his own?

RedBaron 1 year, 6 months ago

Does the city council candidate plan on abusing or committing violence on other city council women?

If not, who cares about 17 year old domestic disputes?

And the only thing I care for the opinion of a museum board member is his opinions about the museum.

But please...continue to rabble rabble rabble. Maybe we'll see you at the villager pitchfork and torches cashmere rally tonight?

milo 1 year, 6 months ago

Who cares? A lot of people.

kyook 1 year, 6 months ago

It's about character, or lack thereof.

roadracer 1 year, 6 months ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

PapaCookie 1 year, 6 months ago

I live in Cashmere and I am not voting for John Bryant and I also want to see Mr. Rainey removed from the Museum. His comments calling the women "sows" is as chauvinistic as Bryant's action towards women. Think some people need sensitivity training?? Physical or verbal abuse is still abuse!!

welder08 1 year, 6 months ago

My grandmother used to put time in at the museum this guy just discusts me both are loosers he needs booted out of the museum and bryant needs run outta town...snakes in the grass im tellin ya

Lisa 1 year, 6 months ago

I'm all for voicing opinions, but...WOW! This is too much.

roadracer 1 year, 6 months ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

UWGal 1 year, 6 months ago

Touche 11Bravo!

Teresia 1 year, 6 months ago

I wonder why Mr. Robbins chose to report on this and triangle the whole readership in something that should have been left between himself and Mr. Rainey. Putting it on the front page makes the Wenatchee World look as ridiculous as the letter does Mr. Rainey.