Waldport city manager Dann Cutter can attend city council meetings and return to work at city hall after a Lincoln County circuit court judge amended the restraining order filed against him by Beachcomber Days secretary TiAnne Rios.
Judge Pro Tem Joseph Allison amended the order during a hearing Wednesday without any objection from Rios, who said she did not know the original restraining order kept Cutter from his duties.
Cutter’s lawyer Kerry Shepherd had filed a motion to amend the original order “to allow in essence for (Cutter’s) work to continue at city hall,” Allison said in asking Rios if she had any objections.
“I have no desire to be at city hall or to (attend) city council meetings,” Rios said. “So I guess I would say ‘No’.”
Shepherd and Rios attended the meeting via telephone; Cutter did not attend.
The amended restraining order states that Cutter may work at his office in city hall and is not required to leave his office if Rios shows up at city hall. Cutter may also attend all public meetings in his capacity as city manager in person and is not required to leave if Rios shows up at the meetings.
Rios, 68, sought a protective restraining order against Cutter on Aug. 13 after she said the city manager’s statements online and in public meetings constituted elder abuse. Allison granted the order the same day. The judge’s order restrained Cutter “from abusing, intimidating, molesting, interfering with, or menacing” Rios and knowingly being within 150 feet of her.
Cutter, who claims Rios’ statements of abuse are untrue, was given 30 days to request a hearing to fight the order – which he did. Wednesday’s hearing was just a preliminary to allow him to return to work. The Waldport city council cancelled its
August meeting because of uncertainty about whether Cutter would have to leave if Rios attended.
A hearing to determine whether the restraining order stays in place is scheduled Friday, Sept. 12.
I’m so sick of this unrest. One small group of rather shady individuals dividing a normally peaceful small town. We had a couple of great street dances, (sponsored by the Moose), thank you very much so I propose a street brawl. Two hours in town center, winner take all, loser shuts the hell up forever.