Recall Organizer Claims Election Interference

Tony Thimakis, organizer of the recall of the 6 Waldport Council members, has submitted a formal complaint to the Secretary of State's office alleging that the city, through the City Manager Dann Cutter, misled the public regarding the recall election. Thimakis said a statement that was made on the city of Waldport's website could mislead voters. In the statement, Cutter states he is responding to questions regarding how the city government will be run if all council members are recalled.

Thimakis reported the post as election interference because he said the city manager posted a legal analysis that would create fear for the citizens of Waldport. Because of his statements as the local authority that the city would be without any city council until November elections, Thimakis said Cutter violated ORS 260.665 “undue influence.” A person may not, directly or indirectly, use undue influence to induce someone to vote or not vote in a particular manner. “Promoting fear of loss of control."

In the statement, it proposes that if recalled, the city would be without a council to guide the city until the November election. However, according to the Waldport charter Section 30, Vacancies in elective offices of the City shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the remaining membership of the Council (This would be the Mayor). The appointee's term of office shall begin immediately upon his or her appointment and shall continue until the beginning of the year following the next general election and until his or her successor is qualified. Under ORS 221.160, The successor for the unexpired term shall be chosen at the next general election after said appointment. This means the mayor’s appointees serve temporarily until the recall process is completed and new council members are elected.

Cutter said, "Much like the County during the Hall recall campaign, the city has received multiple inquiries as to what would occur if the recall were to succeed. The city sought answers from two different legal sources, which both agreed and provided that unbiased outcome on our website." He added, "That this analysis does not provide the outcome the petitioner may have been hoping for does not make it biased nor elective interference."

Cutter also indicated that the Mayor also expressed concern about an email using what he said was copied verbiage, verbatim of a text from an unknown internet poster. He said this suggests that the Mayor may be speaking about public business without retaining public record, which he said likely is a violation of Oregon Law. "Threats from the Mayor's supporters aside, the city will not be prevented from providing unbiased factual information to citizens."

The recall was first initiated by Thimakis in November 2025. This came after the council voted to remove the Mayor for lack of oversight of the city manager's actions against groups such as the Beachcomber Days and Township 13, along with the lack of financial accountability, and not completing city audits for several years. Thimakis said, "The council ordered a Prius and paid for a Rolls Royce."

Due to a technicality, the signatures were not accepted by the county clerk's office. Thimakis submitted signatures again in February that were verified in June starting the recall process, and the ballots save been mailed to Waldport voters. Citizens now have until July 13th to get their ballots in to the county. The County Clerk's office will have up to 35 days to count the ballots and announce whether or not the recall passed or failed.