Arlington mayor ignores calls for resignation
Friday, January 11, 2008 12:26 PM PST
ARLINGTON (AP) — Mayor Carmen Kontur-Gronquist — who created a stir with her decision to post a photograph of herself, clad only in a black bra and panties, on her MySpace page — calmly listened to and then ignored calls for her resignation.
Nearly 30 citizens stood with Ron Miller Wednesday night as he addressed Kontur-Gronquist at a council meeting that attracted far more than the usual number of constituents. Miller listed five complaints against the mayor — the first four dealing with city business and, lastly, the photo of the scantily clad mayor on a town fire truck.
‘‘The apparent lack of city leadership has become so blatant we feel a change needs to be made,’’ he said.
Miller said if the mayor was unwilling to resign, the group would proceed with a recall petition.
Kontur-Gronquist, 42, who is also the fire department’s executive secretary, has said the photos were taken before she was elected mayor three years ago, and she saw no reason to remove them from her MySpace page after taking office.
The mayor kept her cool throughout Miller’s presentation. She then addressed the group.
‘‘I appreciate your concerns,’’ the mayor said, ‘‘... but at this time I have no comment.’’
She then asked if there were others who wished to speak. A woman raised her hand and said she wanted something done about the noise from the trains that rumble through the Gilliam County city of less than 600 people. Kontur-Gronquist broke a smile, and some of the tension drained from the room. But not for long.
More audience members spoke out about the photo controversy — this time in support of the mayor.
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Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.info
