politics

Damascus Votes To Dissolve, Still Faces Court Challenge

By Rob Manning (OPB)
Portland, Oregon May 18, 2016 5:26 a.m.

The city of Damascus voted by more than a two-to-one margin to disincorporate in Tuesday's primary election.

It’s the second time the small Clackamas County city has voted to dissolve.

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City of Damascus sign

City of Damascus sign

Michael Clapp / OPB

The first time, the turnout fell short. Last year, state legislators lowered the bar for Damascus, and Tuesday, voters cleared it. But this time, the vote faces a court challenge over the measure's constitutionality.

Leader of the disincorporation effort, Chris Hawes, predicts Damascus will soon be no more.

"I think realistically, it's a dead city walking at this point," Hawes said. “Everything that’s happened in Damascus and disincorporation, you never say never. But I feel pretty confident that ultimately the judge will see that the people of Damascus have voted overwhelmingly, that they don’t want to have a city any more.”

Clackamas County Judge Katherine Weber said she could rule on the constitutional challenge Wednesday.

Damascus has struggled as a city since it incorporated in 2004. There were conflicts between the city council and staff, and the city was never able to enact a state-required growth plan.

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