Wenatchee By Any Name Not The Same Munro Warns Private Citizens Against Misusing City Names

People who believe they can take away a local government’s name and authority by registering a private corporation under the same name had better reconsider spending that $175 filing fee.

Secretary of State Ralph Munro issued a warning Friday to people thinking about copying a central Washington man’s idea to register a private, for-profit corporation under the name of “City of Wenatchee, Inc.”

Ron Kurpuis, a self-proclaimed patriot, announced Tuesday that he took the city’s name for a corporation formed to educate people about the U.S. Constitution. He also wants to create a local “township” governed by common law.

Kurpuis has threatened to fine Wenatchee officials $10,000 a day if they don’t start using another name for their city.

Not even Kurpuis expects the city to pay the fine. But his action forced attorneys for the city and the state to spend time researching the issue.

Here’s what they came up with: State law establishes a legal difference between a private corporation formed to make a profit and a municipal corporation created to handle the duties of a local government, such as police protection.

Officials said the law allows Kurpuis to register a corporation under the name “City of Wenatchee, Inc.,” but it does not give him the authority to usurp the responsibilities of local government. Anyone who tries it would likely face a court challenge.

“You could have a hamburger stand called ‘The City of Wenatchee,” explained Munro spokesman David Brine.

Munro said news reports about Kurpuis’ effort apparently prompted two other people to register similar corporations this week.

Nathan F. Lyons of Arlington registered corporations called City of Waterville, Inc., and Douglas County, Inc. And Rajinder Bains of Kent registered a corporation called Lakewood, Inc.

Other people have called to inquire about the procedure.

Wenatchee officials are confident that Kurpuis has no case, but they welcomed Munro’s pledge to talk with lawmakers and the attorney general’s office to determine if the law needs to be changed.

“I hope it serves its purpose in letting these people know that if they think they’re going to accomplish something, they’re not really going to,” City Administrator Gary Tomsic said.

Still, Tomsic allowed himself to wonder what it would be like if Kurpuis’ effort worked. “If that had been the case we would have sent him some of our bond payments,” he quipped.