Plainsman1963

10/11/2004 |OregonLive.Com

BROWNSVILLE, Ore. (AP) — The mayor of this historic town has resigned following her arrest on drug charges.

Kathleen Swayze and her husband, Dee Swayze, were arrested last week and charged with manufacture and distribution of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Linn County deputies found 31 Marijuana plants in the couple's ceramic studio and 12 pounds of dried Marijuana in their home, authorities said. The child endangerment charges stem from the employment of several teenagers at the business. The couple were released from the Linn County Jail after posting $9,950 bail.

"I have worked very hard for this dear town that I love. I will always be grateful for the time I have been able to spend working for this great community," Swayze said in her resignation letter, which was dated Friday.

Brownsville City Administrator David Clyne praised Swayze for her work over the past two years.
[Plains' Note: And yet, how is that possible if smoking the evil weed? How can somebody still not only perform their job, but be praised for their job performance?]

"Without commenting on the personal choice she made, Kathleen was an outstanding mayor. She did a great job for us," Clyne said. "The best that I have ever worked with."
[Plains' Note: "the best that I have ever worked with".]

Clyne said City Council President Rob Wingren will take over the mayor's duties until the job is filled permanently.

Swayze had two years remaining on her term.

The former mayor and her husband are scheduled to appear in Linn County Circuit Court on Oct. 27.

Brownsville, settled in 1846, was the second town in Oregon to rise along the old Territorial Road, the all-weather route that ran from California to Oregon City. The city has roughly 1,500 residents.