Hutson didn't violate order on city contract

Tempe City Council incumbent candidate Hut Hutson did not violate an order prohibiting communication with ambulance-company representatives who were competing for a lucrative city contract, according to an opinion issued by a city attorney.

Citing attorney-client privilege, City Attorney Andrew Ching said he would not comment specifically on

questions raised in media reports about Hutson sending a mailer to Professional Medical Transport president Bob Ramsey. Ching said the communication "blackout" provision in the city's request for proposals was aimed at the company representatives, not at city officials. The restriction was included to prevent any "undue influence" before the city voted Feb. 7 to award the contract to PMT over Southwest Ambulance, he said.

"There's no express provision restricting those entities (city officials) from having direct or indirect contact with the proposers (ambulance officials)," he said.

Hutson called the timing of the published reports, coming days before the election, unfortunate. But he said he hopes Tempe voters know he is a man of "good sound character."

"It's obvious, that like I said before, I didn't do anything wrong, immoral or illegal," he said. "It's a shame that it happened but it's behind us and I'd like everybody to consider me and give me four more years on the City Council."