At their meeting on Tuesday, the Washington City Council held a discussion on mayoral status. All council members weighed in on the topic, here are comments made by Council People Patrick Morgan, Elaine Moore, and Fran Stigers at the meeting, Morgan stated, “Well one of my first thoughts here is that, when I was getting signatures to apply, every single person asked me what’s what’s going on? And I didn’t have an answer, but I know that you know based on and that’s thirty to thirty-five constituents, but I would think that we have a number of individuals in the City that probably have questions.” 

Moore continued with, “It’s already been a year without leadership, and the citizens of Washington should understand that our hands are tied. This could go on until the end of Jaron’s term in twenty-five.” 

With Stigers stating,  “We don’t have that one person to go to to say hey, this is what we’re dealing with, how do you want to proceed? It’s like we’re a snake without a head, going in all different directions. I don’t think we got the leadership right now, cause that’s not what she signed on for, she signed on to be a councilperson, and I’m not bashing her in any way. We need an administrator that’s going to take the helm and keep this train moving in the right direction. If it comes down to a vote of confidence, I have no confidence in our past mayor right now.” 

The Council voted unanimously to draft a letter to send to Mayor Jaron Rosien asking for his resignation, to send by the end of the week. Their hope is to have his decision by the next Council meeting. 

Rosien has been on voluntary unpaid leave for eleven months, following allegations of felonious sexual abuse in January of 2023. As of a pre-trial conference on Friday, Rosien’s trial date in these matters is set for May 21st. His term ends in 2025. Mayor Pro Tem Millie Youngquist was not in attendance at this council meeting. She has been serving in the position for the duration of Rosien’s absence.