By GARRET JAROS/Lincoln Chronicle
WALDPORT — Lawyers for Mayor Heide Lambert have notified Waldport officials she intends to sue the city, the city manager and individual city council members for her April 3 removal from office.
A tort claim notice delivered to the city on Wednesday, Sept. 17 says a claim for damages is asserted against each party, “which may result in a lawsuit for money damages against you brought by Heide Lambert.”
“The suit would concern the events surrounding and damages resulting from the April 3, 2025, Waldport City Council proceedings and related vote to expel Heide Lambert from her seat as mayor of Waldport,” the notice said.
People intending to sue local governments or state agencies are required by law to file what is called a “tort claim notice.”
Lambert signaled she would file a lawsuit after Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bachart granted the city’s motion to dismiss her complaint against the council during a hearing July 15. Bachart dismissed Lambert’s complaint over her April 3 removal from office because the judge had already ordered her reinstated May 8 and the council complied.
Lambert had sought damages and legal fees from the city, something Bachart said fell outside the “pleadings” in the case. The initial court case stemmed from a writ of review filed by Lambert’s attorney’s May 7 asking the judge to reinstate her as mayor for what they alleged was an illegal removal.
Bachart initially agreed to Lambert’s request the city pay for “costs and disbursements,” which includes court costs and fees, for fighting the city’s exclusion. But after the city’s attorney Kelsie Crippen said the provision for costs does not allow for attorney’s fees the judge changed her decision.
But Bachart added “Nothing in my order prevents her (Lambert) from pursuing a separate suit for the civil damages.”
The city council, who had the option to reprimand or remove Lambert, voted 6-0 to remove her April 3. But after her reinstatement by Bachart, the council voted unanimously May 27 to reinstate her and dismiss charges she violated the city charter. At the same time the city filed a motion to dismiss Lambert’s subsequent complaint
The city had contended Lambert violated a provision in the city charter which states in part “no council member shall directly or indirectly attempt to direct any city officer or employee under the city manager’s supervision in the performance of their duties.”
The council said its decision to reinstate Lambert and drop the charges was based primarily on the cost of fighting the issue in court.
Lambert’s removal from office for a month this spring is among the handful of reasons cited by a group of Waldport residents to try to collect 192 signatures on petitions to hold a recall election of all six councilors. The group has until Oct. 12-13 to collect and turn them in to the Lincoln County clerk for verification.
- Garret Jaros covers the communities of Yachats, Waldport, south Lincoln County and natural resources issues for Lincoln Chronicle and can be reached at GJaros@YachatsNews.com
Wow, the mayor is working so hard to restore the good relationships among the council and moving the city forward in a positive way to ensure they do their duty to support the residents? Not. Really? This is a good idea? You won. The council could be recalled in full. You won. Move on. Work to heal Waldport not keep the disfunction ongoing. You won. Why do you need money from the city that will mean that necessary things may not be able to now get done – to support your fellow residents – you know, the people who elected you.
I regret not having done more research on her before voting for her. Seems trouble follows her wherever she goes. She has an ongoing federal lawsuit for discrimination and harassment by two city employees from her tenure as city manager in Yachats.
She needs to recover her legal fees caused by the council. No one should need to have this explanation.
Empathy. How would you feel being stuck with legal fees to defend against unlawful behavior?
Sure, if it was just for legal fees. I get that. But it doesn’t read like that. Reads like she’s going after them for more. That I highly disagree with.
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
(from William Congreve “The Mourning Bride” 1697)
It may not be the best reaction, but the lawsuit is justifiable. Ms. Lambert was humiliated in public, and I am a voter who feels insulted by the council’s blatant bullying disregard for the people’s choice~
whether I voted for her or not.
Maybe it’s time the citizens of Waldport file tort claims against both sides of this mess and make them defend their claims of doing good. Then we can measure based on facts rather than innuendo.
Thank God the city councilors are going to be called on the carpet and have to speak to what they did, and why they did it, on April 3, 2025. If you haven’t listened to the audio of their ambush, you really should, as it will explain why it is important that Mayor Lambert, through her attorneys, filed this tort. I remember at one point that she said she would only be suing for $1. This isn’t about money for the mayor. It is about ensuring the city’s government be accountable for and transparent about their blunders, including this one that impacted the vote of the people of Waldport. This litigation will make the councilors and the staff talk about what happened that day. It needs to be said. The people deserve to know. And if litigation is the only way to have these six councilors and the city manager explain their actions, so be it.
Clean house, manager and council all. Start over. Non cronies apply within.
Follow the past, educate yourselves about Ms. Lambert, she is involved in more than one lawsuit. Too bad voters didn’t know.
Untrue. Mayor Lambert has gone on record stating she was dismissed from the Yachats litigation months ago. When the Lincoln Chronicle did a story on her prior to her starting the job, the writer indicated that 2 employees already had something in the works and intended to sue the city. The role they said Heide Lambert played in the complaints did not past the muster.
Then she needs to provide the documentation that the lawsuits have been dismissed. Every search I conduct comes up with the same statement that the lawsuits are ongoing and the city of Yachats officials will not comment on them as there is ongoing legal action.
Such a waste of community time and resources
Sad to hear she’s making this move. Undermining her own city. True leaders learn to move forward and bring people with them.