Hagedorn Resigns
Rumors began circulating Thursday afternoon that North Plains Council President Mandy Hagedorn had resigned. Her departure was confirmed at the August 20 City Council meeting.
As of Friday morning, however, the City had issued no news release and published no resignation letter. Its website still listed Hagedorn as council president, while the meeting archive contained no minutes or video from Thursday’s meeting. That stands in contrast to the City’s handling of former Mayor Aaron Dumbrow’s departure, when it published both a resignation announcement and Dumbrow’s letter.
Hagedorn’s resignation came on the eve of our report, “New Records Show Teri Lenahan Warned City Hall”. The timing alone does not establish a connection. But those newly released records showed Hagedorn acting with integrity during one important episode: After an unsolicited Food Bank proposal was delivered to her home, she documented it, preserved the evidence and immediately placed it in official channels by contacting the city manager and city attorney. She later voted against the proposal and publicly separated herself from what the records suggest was a coordinated, behind-the-scenes effort involving Councilors Anna Warrington, Mark DeForge and Don Weber.
Hagedorn leaves behind a complicated record. She entered office as part of the Smart Growth-backed slate known as “The 4,” and early records raised questions about outside activists helping shape council rules and City Hall strategy. She later became council president amid manager and staff departures, overdue audits, higher fees, controversial appointments and an escalating leadership crisis. A recall petition was filed against her this month. Yet the Food Bank records also reveal something the public had not previously seen: Hagedorn apparently drawing a line, following proper channels and refusing to join three colleagues on a consequential vote.
It took less than twenty months for all four members of the November 2024 Smart Growth slate—Ariel Goodwin, Aaron Dumbrow, Katie Reding and Mandy Hagedorn—to resign.
North Plains is now left with just one council member elected to the position she currently holds, four appointed councilors and two vacancies: mayor and City Council.
None of those four appointees was chosen for the seat by North Plains voters.
The City Charter may provide a legal mechanism for filling these vacancies. That does not resolve the larger question of public legitimacy: Should a council composed overwhelmingly of appointees—following the collapse of the elected governing coalition—choose yet another mayor and councilor without first seeking a direct mandate from voters this November?
North Plains deserves Hagedorn’s resignation letter, a complete explanation of what led to her departure and the most transparent vacancy process the law allows.
