Lalouette resigns from commission

Embattled 1st District county commissioner Lori Lalouette announced her intent to resign at this morning’s commission meeting, effective March 20.

In a letter presented to commissioners, Lalouette cited competing priorities and illness as factors in her decision to resign.

“I have decided that I must focus on the good of my constituents and the citizens of Marion County,” she wrote. “My time, availability, and strengths, at this time, are better suited for other positions and areas serving the county, than they are as commissioner at this time.”

Commission chair Randy Dallke, commissioner Dianne Novak, former commissioner Dan Holub, and others had called for Lalouette’s resignation, most contending that Lalouette’s absences from meetings had compromised her ability to effectively represent her district. A petition calling for a recall election had been filed with the county attorney for review.

Lalouette narrowly defeated Hillsboro businessperson Craig Dodd in 2014 to win the elected position vacated by former commissioner Roger Fleming, who chose not to run for re-election. She started serving on the commission in Jan. 2015.