Recall Filed Against Commissioner Hall

The County Clerk’s office has confirmed that there has been a petition filed to recall County Commissioner Claire Hall. The County Clerk received the petition on Monday August 4th and it was approved by the County Clerk for signature gathering Tuesday the 5th. Now the person who started the recall has 90 days to gather 3950 signatures of active voters in Lincoln County for the recall to be put on the ballot.

The Otter Rock resident who filed the recall cited misconduct that violates the public trust and Lincoln County Personnel Rules—suppressing public input by excluding individuals from commission meetings and prematurely ending public meetings to prevent elected officials from speaking. She also pointed out the exclusion of fellow commissioner Casey Miller from daily governance, disregarding the will of the voters.

The petitioner also cited retaliatory behavior toward constituents, including attacks via social media, and attempts to limit public comment during the board business meetings. The petition also mentions financial oversight of the county budget with the county now facing shortfalls and audit issues. It went on to say that Commissioner Hall's conduct has fostered a toxic work environment in some county departments. The petitioner requested a recall to restore accountability and integrety to county government.

Commissioner Hall has been in office since winning the November 2004 election and has since been re-elected to the position six times. She replied to the notice of recall on her facebook page stating that a small group of people have decided it is so important to stop her from doing the job that she was elected to do. "We have serious challenges in Lincoln County right now, and your county government should be focused exclusively on meeting those challenges. Instead, a small group has created chaos and confusion in an effort to push narrow personal agendas at the expense of the greater good."

Commissioner Hall responded to the petition regarding public comment to say "The recall petition targets my efforts to maintain order at our public business meetings. Elected officials have weaponized our public comment periods for months by leveling accusations and attacks on other county staff. Commissioner Miller has done his best to enable and encourage these behaviors, as well as engaging in them himself." Commissioner Hall has called out Commissioner Miller regarding his YouTube social media posts, asking for transparency in county government and expressing his frustrations of the lack of action regarding meeting requests and being left out of important decision-making. Public officials including Commissioner Miller have stated a lack of response from the County as a reason for bringing questions to public comment and for voicing questions publicly.

Commissioner Casey Miller offered this statement in regards to the recall. "I’ve heard suggestions that I am the driving force behind the recall petition against Commissioner Hall. Let me be clear: I am not the petitioner, nor am I the architect of the recall campaign.

What I have done—and will continue to do—is advocate for transparency, due process, and shared responsibility in how our Board conducts business. I’ve consistently requested public discussions, including executive sessions, to address matters that affect our organization, the delivery of public services, and ultimately, the community’s trust in local government.

Decisions such as excluding constituents from public meetings (including Christine Hutchins), redacting public records, or denying commissioner agenda requests have not been made by the full Board."

Commissioner Miller added "I’ve raised concerns about this pattern and will continue to advocate for clearer policies and fairer procedures—so that all elected officials are included in decision-making and our community can participate in that process. Good governance depends on inclusive, collaborative leadership—not unilateral authority. I remain committed to ensuring that all voices are respected, including those who may disagree with me or others in County leadership. I believe in accountability for all of us. We can—and must—do better. I will continue working to strengthen public process, rebuild trust, and ensure that the community remains at the center of our work."

Commissioner Hall went on to say in her response "It’s sad to me that some people are so focused on creating chaos and confusion that they don’t see the serious problems we’re facing. We are managing a potentially serious budget shortfall at the same time we’re trying to understand how changes at the federal and state levels will impact our ability to deliver our core services. We also need to look at the uncertain future of housing assistance, energy assistance, Meals on Wheels, SNAP, Medicaid and other life-saving safety net programs so important to seniors and those on low and fixed incomes. We need serious people committed to solving our problems. We don’t need people whose only purpose is to advance their own narrow goals at the expense of everyone and everything else."

In order for the recall to be put on the ballot the committee is required to gather 3950 signatures of active voters in Lincoln County. There are signature gathering areas set up in Lincoln City and in Newport. There is also a facebook page Lincoln County Citizens To Recall Commissioner Hall, where you can learn about signature gathering locations. According to the county clerk, if enough signatures are gathered and there is a special recall election the cost will be around $40,000. If all the signatures are gathered Commissioner Hall will need to submit one of the following within 5 days of the petition qualifying to be on the ballot, a written resignation or file an SEL 352 Statement of Justification. Commissioner Hall said "I do not expect this petition to generate enough signatures to make the ballot. If it does, I will not resign. I will fight the recall, and I’m confident that I’ll win."