Salem, OR – The resignation of Salem City Manager Keith Stahley has sparked controversy and raised questions about the transparency of the city’s leadership. The following is a timeline of key statements and actions leading up to his resignation in February 2025.
February 7, 2025: Council President’s Meeting with Stahley
Council President Linda Nishioka met with Keith Stahley to discuss his future with the city. According to Nishioka, she was acting on behalf of Mayor and a majority of the City Council. In a private conversation, she indicated that Stahley should consider resigning to avoid public embarrassment. Nishioka suggested that the council could conduct a public process to secure his resignation, though she did not officially request it.
February 9, 2025: Stahley Submits Resignation
Following Nishioka’s conversation with him, Stahley submitted his resignation letter to the Salem City Attorney. In the letter, Stahley explained that he was stepping down after Nishioka, as the “duly authorized representative” of the Mayor and City Council, made a request for his resignation. This marked the official start of the process, as Stahley accepted the implied request from the city leaders.
February 10, 2025: City Council Votes to Accept Resignation
The Salem City Council convened for a private meeting, during which they discussed Stahley’s resignation and severance terms. Under state law, such matters related to employee discipline or dismissal are required to be addressed behind closed doors. During the meeting, the Council unanimously voted to accept Stahley’s resignation and also approved a severance package totaling approximately $256,000.
February 11, 2025: Public Release of Resignation Letter
In response to a public records request, the city released Stahley’s resignation letter. Alongside the letter, an unsigned statement from the city indicated that Stahley had resigned at the request of the City Council. However, this vague statement did little to clarify the full circumstances surrounding the resignation.
February 12, 2025: City Issues Clarification Statement
As public scrutiny of the resignation process intensified, the city issued a follow-up statement aimed at clarifying the situation. The statement contradicted the earlier communication, asserting that Council President Nishioka had never directly asked Stahley to resign. Instead, the statement claimed that Nishioka had met with Stahley to discuss the possibility of his resignation, with the goal of avoiding any further embarrassment to him or the city. The city clarified that a public process could have been used, but Stahley ultimately chose to resign on his own accord.
Public Response and Growing Concerns
The resignation and the conflicting statements from city officials have drawn attention from both local media and citizens. Many have expressed concerns over the transparency of the process and the apparent lack of a clear, public explanation. Critics argue that the city’s handling of Stahley’s departure raises questions about accountability and public trust in city leadership.
As the story continues to unfold, local leaders and residents alike are calling for greater transparency and a more open process in future decisions regarding city management. With the departure of Stahley, the city now faces the challenge of navigating the transition to new leadership in Salem’s executive office.
