Firor. | Photo via the City of Blue Lake.

Blue Lake’s ongoing political drama just experienced another plot twist as City Councilmember Christopher G. Firor has resigned from office, effective immediately.

Firor, who was appointed by the council last October to fill the seat that had been vacated by Elizabeth McKay, did not cite a reason for his abrupt departure in the emailed notice he submitted at 6:28 on Tuesday evening, roughly two minutes before a council meeting was set to begin. (The email wasn’t stamped as “received” until the following day.)

“This decision was not made lightly, but after careful consideration, I believe it is the right time for me to step down,” his emailed resignation says.

Firor had missed several council meetings in a row. In his application to serve on the Blue Lake City Council, he said he looked forward to “working with the council in a coordinated and collaborative manner with a high degree of respect, trust an openness.”

He’d been living in Blue Lake for just nine months when the council selected him over other applicants, including John Sawatzky, who would go on to win election to an open seat a month later. A community health worker employed by the the Providence-owned Blue Lake Community Resource Center, Firor told the council during the special meeting in October that he’d tried to move to the city earlier, “but it’s hard to get here.”

Facing questions from the council, Firor said he saw a need to build consensus and bridge divides.

“Of course, I want Blue Lake to grow,” he added. “We need it in every which way — more population, more businesses, more tax revenue.” 

The recent political divide in Blue Lake has largely centered on how best to plan for such growth. For years now the city has been out of compliance with state housing law. 

The remaining four members of the Blue Lake City Council will now be tasked with appointing a replacement for Firor. An email to City Attorney Ryan Plotz requesting details on this process and its timeline was not immediately returned. 

[UPDATE, 3:45 p.m.: Plotz replied via email, saying the council has 60 days from the resignation to either make an appointment to fill the vacant seat or call a special election.  “We will call a special meeting to review the process with Council and seek direction on how the Council would like to proceed,” he explained.]

Three of the four remaining councilmembers in Blue Lake are facing voter-initiated recall campaigns.

Here is the text of Firor’s letter of resignation:

Subject: Resignation from City Council

City of Blue Lake,

Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as City Councilor for Blue Lake, effective immediately. This decision was not made lightly, but after careful consideration, I believe it is the right time for me to step down.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Blue Lake. I am proud of the work I have accomplished and I remain deeply committed to the betterment of our community. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside dedicated city staff and engaged citizens. I will always cherish these relationships built during my time on the council.

In conclusion, I look forward to continuing my overarching goal of being a positive and contributory force for this beautiful community, this “Center of the Universe,” my Blue Lake Heaven.

Sincerely,

Christopher G. Firor  

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DOCUMENT: Firor Letter of Resignation

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