Galas Merten declares war on North Plains seniors
North Plains seniors have apparently been getting away with something.
Their center has a sign. With the city logo.
Fortunately, Linda Galas-Merten is on the case.
Speaking for Strong Towns North Plains at the September 8 City Council meeting, Galas-Merten questioned why the privately operated Senior Center displayed the city’s logo. Who authorized it? Did Public Works install it? Who ordered the work? Who paid?
A small-town sign had acquired the suspense of a congressional investigation. Watch
There was one complication: Galas-Merten acknowledged that her group had not found a city policy prohibiting the use.
Undeterred, she suggested the city “ask nicely for the signs to be taken down.” Then she urged the council to adopt a policy urgently and “make the policy retroactive.” Meeting recording.
If the sign wasn’t breaking a rule, perhaps a rule could be sent back to meet it.
Finally, a municipal plan for the past.
Galas-Merten, who publicly lists herself as owner of Merten Vineyard LLC, is familiar to readers through CPO 8, Strong Towns and the so-called North Plains Business Alliance. TRFNP previously reported that state records named curiously named her the Alliance’s initial president.
For someone who doesn't live, vote, or pay taxes in North Plains, its municipal life offers remarkably few matters beyond her portfolio. Earlier coverage.
The concern about proper use of a public identity is particularly rich. As TRFNP previously reported, Washington County directed CPO 8 to stop using taxpayer resources for personal political causes. Galas-Merten chaired the organization. Apparently, she now believes the distinction between a public institution and someone’s preferred cause deserves close attention. We agree. Our report on the County’s directives.
Former City Manager Bill Reid also documented his concerns about Galas Merten. His October 2025 memo disputed her statements about his surety bond and accused Strong Towns interventions of consuming staff time and disrupting city business. Read the memo and our coverage.
Then there was the March delivery to Mandy Hagedorn’s home: a packet Hagedorn reported to the city attorney as unsolicited, which Galas-Merten later acknowledged delivering. Her interest in municipal procedure evidently includes home delivery. That story is here.
Now the Senior Center’s front door has her attention.
Perhaps the council’s proposed parliamentarian can determine whether the sign is out of order.
