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Mayor Kelly Marks rejects calls to resign, calls criticism a 22witch hunt22
Summary
At the Dec. 9 Orange City Council meeting, Mayor Kelly Marks used her opening remarks to deny allegations of racist language, harassment and improper influence on staffing decisions, while dozens of residents urged her resignation and read a letter alleging racially charged comments from city officials.
Mayor Kelly Marks opened the Dec. 9 City of Orange City Council meeting with a forceful defense of her conduct and a denial of recent public allegations, saying she would not resign amid what she described as a coordinated campaign of harassment. "In conclusion, I will not be resigning, and I stand firm against the campaign of harassment and intimidation," Mayor Marks said.
Why it matters: The mayor's remarks came at the start of a meeting that drew an unusually large public turnout. Speakers from across the community used the public-comment period to press elected officials for accountability, citing social-media posts, staff turnover and allegations of racially charged language on municipal platforms. The controversy has interrupted regular city business and raised…
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