Toppenish City Council To Discuss Sanctions For Its Mayor

April 8, 2007
Aileen Trieu / Reporter

TOPPENISH -- Toppenish Mayor Bill Rogers has publicly apologized several times for his remarks about how Yakama Nation tribal members pay their taxes.

The comments sparked critcisms, leaving some tribal members to ask him to step down.

"It would be better of he would resign with dignity and honor," says Tribal Member Lila Whalawitsa.

Other tribal members have accepted the mayor's apology and say it's time to move forward.

But at least one city council member says Rogers has violated the council's code of conduct and is asking him to resign.

That council member has not been identified.

"There is apparently discord or some sort of obsessive unhappiness with the mayor between at least one of our council members and the mayor these are issues better settled privately and not publicly," says Councilwoman Elaine Willman.

She says she feels some may be using the controversy for personal reasons.

Willman plans to ask the City Council to cancel its session.

"I will do everything I can to encourage the council to cancel this executive session and focus on our community's 100th birthday coming up in three weeks," she says.

Several local downtown businesses have feared losing tribal customers because of the controversy.

They also say it's time to move on and hope the upcoming Centennial celebrations will bring the community together.