Petitions Filed to Recall Hagedorn, DeForge
Two petition requests were filed with the City of North Plains on Monday, August 3, seeking the recall of Council President Mandy Hagedorn and Councilor Mark De Forge.
North Plains resident and past TRFNP contributor Russ R. Sheldon is the chief petitioner for the Hagedorn recall. Thomas Hauth, also a city resident, is the chief petitioner for the De Forge recall.
The filings include statements on why each councilor should be recalled. The Real Friends is sharing the statements and documents as a matter of public interest. We will provide further updates as they become available.
Statement seeking the recall of Council President Mandy Hagedorn
On Friday, July 31, North Plains’ city attorney called City Hall’s condition an “unprecedented crisis.” Council President Mandy Hagedorn has failed to lead North Plains out of it.
Under Hagedorn’s leadership, the city has lost three permanent or acting city managers, its library director, public works director and its entire planning department. The finance director position has remained vacant for years; other staff have departed. With roughly half its administrative workforce remaining, staffing shortages closed the public services building.
North Plains has not completed a financial audit since 2021. Elected in 2024 promising “smart growth,” Hagedorn has spent 18 months without delivering a long-term growth plan. Yet she championed spending thousands on a parliamentarian and, at the same meeting, voted to raise city fees 3.9%, including water bills.
Hagedorn voted to separate from City Manager Bill Reid. Gary Marks, the interim manager she approved, resigned after one week, calling conditions “untenable.” She then presided over a noon Friday Zoom meeting that prohibited spoken public comment while appointing another interim manager.
When City Hall cannot complete audits, retain leaders, keep offices open, deliver promised plans or hear residents, accountability begins at the top. Recall Councilor Mandy Hagedorn.
Statement seeking the recall of Councilor Mark De Forge
On Friday, July 31, North Plains' city attorney called City Hall's condition an “unprecedented crisis.” On his first night in office, DeForge nominated Mandy Hagedorn council president.
During DeForge's tenure, North Plains has lost three permanent or acting city managers, its library director, public works director and entire planning department. The finance director position has remained vacant for years, no audit has been completed since 2021, and staffing shortages closed the public services building.
Before joining the council, DeForge told city officials Hillsboro had “kicked me out last year for their data centers.” Public records instead show he and his wife sold that property to the Hillsboro Economic Development Council for $3,062,268. No condemnation or forced-taking record has been identified. That contradiction raises serious questions about the account he gave city officials before his appointment.
DeForge voted to separate from City Manager Bill Reid, approve Gary Marks as interim manager and raise city fees 3.9%, including water bills. Marks resigned after one week, calling conditions “untenable.”
North Plains needs truthful, accountable leadership capable of restoring staff, completing audits and stabilizing services. DeForge's judgment, votes and incomplete account have broken public trust. Recall Councilor Mark De Forge.
Read the documents here:
