Packed Yukon City Council meeting sees new at-large member, new vice mayor in amid unrest
Tensions over a proposed data center continue to escalate in Yukon, Oklahoma, leading to leadership changes on the City Council amid public protests. A recent City Council meeting saw a new at-large member sworn in and a new vice mayor elected, following the resignation of the previous vice mayor and threats of recall against other officials. Residents remain highly vocal in their opposition to the data center project.
The Yukon City Council is experiencing significant unrest due to public opposition to a proposed data center project. A recent packed City Council meeting, which included a heavy law enforcement presence, led to major leadership changes. Zack Castle was sworn in as the new at-large council member, and Ward 1 Councilmember Rick Caccini was elected as the new vice mayor.
These developments follow a contentious June 2 work session, where discussions about Yukon's water needs quickly devolved into protests against the data center, with speakers chanting "Data center" and expressing anger over limited access to the meeting. Residents issued threats of recall against council members and voiced strong criticism, including one speaker comparing the situation to a "Nazi regime" and another criticizing Mayor Brian Pillmore's repeated absence. Former Vice Mayor Jeff Wooten resigned four days after the June 2 meeting, with residents expressing hope that the Mayor would follow suit. Despite the leadership shake-up, opposition to the proposed data center remains strong, though the project was not on the agenda for the latest City Council meeting.