Scuffle breaks out in Bainbridge Island City Hall during council meeting

Bill Knobloch stands and watches as Bainbridge Island Police talk to Robert Dashiell after a scuffle broke out between the pair during Wednesday
Richard D. Oxley / Bainbridge Island Review
Bill Knobloch stands and watches as Bainbridge Island Police talk to Robert Dashiell after a scuffle broke out between the pair during Wednesday's city council meeting.

By BRIAN KELLY
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
March 14, 2012 · 9:43 PM

An apparent scuffle broke out after a recess at Wednesday's Bainbridge Island City Council meeting between a former councilman and another man in the audience.

The confrontation occurred just after the council took a recess after a contentious debate over the immediate firing of City Manager Brenda Bauer.

Several witnesses said Robert Dashiell, who ran unsuccessfully for the council against Councilwoman Sarah Blossom in November, appeared to push former councilman Bill Knobloch across a table near the exit to council chambers.

Bystanders then separated the two.

An officer for the Bainbridge Island Police Department detained both men in the lobby of city hall as another officer was called to the scene shortly before 9:30 p.m.

Knobloch argued with Dashiell in the lobby as the first officer waited for another officer to arrive.

"You don't punch someone in public," Knobloch told Dashiell.

"I didn't punch you," Dashiell replied.

Officers separated the men and one took Knobloch outside of city hall, while another kept Dashiell inside the building.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Editor Brian Kelly at editor@bainbridgereview.com or 1-206-842-6613.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.