County commissioner receives death threats after data center vote, recall not expected until January
Three Lincoln County commissioners face potential recall elections after voting against a data center moratorium, with one commissioner reporting death threats following the contentious vote. Residents expressed concerns about water and electricity usage from data centers, pushing for regulations while the recall process for the commissioners is likely delayed until 2027.
Three Lincoln County commissioners are facing recall efforts initiated by residents after the board voted against a proposed data center moratorium. The public, concerned about the potential impact of data centers on local water and electricity resources, largely advocated for the moratorium during a heated July 13 meeting. Many residents, including Kareleen Monheiser, urged the board to implement a pause to allow time for drafting comprehensive regulations.
The vote saw Commissioners Joseph Hewgley, Christopher Bruns, and Jerry Woodruff reject the six-month moratorium, while Chairman Kent Weems and Commissioner Micaela Wuehler supported it. County Development Director Judy Clark advised against a ban, suggesting that the county could craft effective conditional use permit regulations instead of a blanket moratorium. She cautioned that a ban might lead developers to reclassify projects as warehouses, circumventing regulations.
David Huebner filed the recall petition on July 14, requiring over 2,900 signatures from registered voters across the commissioners' districts. Commissioner Joseph Hewgley defended his 'procedural vote' against the moratorium, stating his belief that it would delay the implementation of necessary regulations to protect natural resources. Hewgley also disclosed that he and his family have received death threats and hate mail since the vote, expressing hurt over the personal attacks.
Lincoln County Clerk Rebecca Rossell indicated that due to state statutes governing local elections in a federal election year, any potential recall vote is unlikely to be scheduled until January 2027.