Press Article: Mayor of Waldport Arrested After City Council Expulsion Vote
In an unprecedented event, Heide Lambert, the mayor of Waldport, Oregon, was arrested by Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks Thursday after she defied a 6-0 City Council vote to expel her from office. The controversy erupted following accusations that Lambert had raised her voice and intimidated city staff, prompting Council members to remove her from her position just three months into her term.
During the City Council meeting, Lambert attempted to take her seat at the council table amidst cheers from her supporters. However, the atmosphere quickly changed as City Manager Dann Cutter gave the signal for the sheriff to act. Sheriff Shanks approached Lambert, who refused to leave, leading to her arrest for misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Witnesses reported an outraged crowd voicing their disapproval of the city’s handling of the situation, with several attendees expressing frustration over the perceived undermining of democracy.
The conflict traces back to a quarrel between Lambert and city staff regarding complaints about Cutter, who had previously halted a grant request for Waldport’s annual Beachcomber Days festival due to concerns over potential accounting irregularities. While Cutter maintained he was addressing complaints appropriately, Lambert argued that she acted in the interest of transparency for the council.
Despite her arrest, Lambert intends to contest both the citation and her removal, asserting that only a recall vote could legally oust her from office. “I was terrified,” she remarked, citing the experience as unprecedented for her. The legal proceedings surrounding her ouster and the disorderly conduct charge remain pending as the community grapples with the fallout from the council’s decision.
Waldport, with a population of approximately 2,200, has become a flashpoint for debates on governance, accountability, and democratic representation in local politics.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
