Woodland City Councilor Gabe Huston told The Reflector Thursday evening that he will resign from his position effective Jan. 16, 2026.
He made the announcement a week following a heated argument with Mayor Todd Dinehart during a Monday, Dec. 8, special council meeting.
In his written resignation, he cited what he described as a pattern of intimidation and disrespect by Dinehart that he said made it impossible for him to continue serving.
“This decision is the result of repeated disrespect, intimidation and a toxic leadership environment created by the mayor,” he wrote. “His conduct has consistently undermined professionalism, collaboration and the ability of this council to function in the best interests of the community.”
Huston's accusations in his letter of resignation comes after a Dec. 8 city council meeting where, at the end of the meeting, Dinehart responded to Huston bringing up an email sent to the quorum of city councilors, and an additional email sent directly to Dinehart.
The email to all seven city councilors mentioned a motion made by council member Jason Friend to excuse Huston's absence from a prior meeting; not a single council member stepped forward to second the motion, Huston claimed.
“I'm committed to treating all city officials with respect regardless of differences, and I believe our community deserves better leaders who uphold those standards,” Huston read.
After Huston read the email that was sent to only Dinehart, Dinehart brought up ongoing concerns regarding Huston's residency, despite Huston's email not mentioning his residency within the city limits of Woodland.
"I respect the process up here, the dialogue, the conversation out in the community. Respect is earned, and somebody who told us last April that they were going to get within six months back inside the city limits and would be part of that when they got a job ..." Dinehart said, with Huston speaking over Dinehart.
Dinehart responded to Huston's interruptions by stating, "You're still not inside the city limits."
The Dec. 8 meeting also included criticism from Councilor Carol Rounds regarding Huston’s attire as she commented that wearing his hat backward was disrespectful to the office. Huston later told The Reflector that the hat bore a large cross and the letters FCA, which he said stood for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and that he wore it backward so he could see better while wearing glasses.
History of a disputed residency
During an Aug. 5 city council meeting last year, Dinehart accused Huston of providing false information about his residence, saying Huston spent four months living with family outside Woodland. Huston denied wrongdoing, saying that although his family moved outside city limits, he maintained residency in Woodland by renting two rooms from friends.
At the same time, Huston asked the council for time to reestablish himself in town, citing his ongoing recovery from colon cancer and his doctor’s advice not to return to work. Dinehart said the rental agreements Huston provided were invalid and that no neighbors could confirm he stayed in city limits.
The issue was revisited during the Aug. 19 council meeting the same year. The city council voted 6-1, with only Melissa Doughty in opposition, to allow Mayor Dinehart to discuss Huston’s removal with the Cowlitz County prosecutor following a 20-minute executive session. Following the Dec. 8 meeting, Dinehart told The Reflector that the process to remove Huston would be too costly for the city, tens of thousands of dollars according to Dinehart.
Allegations of misbehavior
In last week’s letter of resignation sent to The Reflector, Huston pointed to comments he attributed to Dinehart regarding city staff.
“On multiple occasions, the Mayor has openly stated that he ‘doesn’t care how long someone has worked here — everyone is replaceable,’” Huston wrote. “Such statements are demeaning, dismissive and corrosive to morale.”
Huston claims the mayor’s behavior continued during a period when Huston was undergoing cancer treatment and recovering from surgeries.
“While I was undergoing 10 rounds of chemotherapy and two knee surgeries, the Mayor never once reached out to ask how I was doing or to offer even minimal human concern,” Huston wrote. “This absence of empathy reflects a fundamental failure of leadership.”
In his resignation letter, Huston said the ongoing conflict had become a distraction from the council’s responsibilities.
“I will not continue serving in an environment where intimidation is used as a management style and where basic respect and compassion are absent,” Huston wrote. “Remaining on this council under these conditions would compromise my principles, my well-being and my commitment to ethical public service.”
During an interview with The Reflector, Huston claimed the city attorney indicated there was “nothing more the council could do” regarding his residency. When asked to provide documentation, Huston did not produce an email he said the city attorney sent to council members stating no further action could be taken. The Reflector has submitted a public records request for communications between city officials regarding Huston’s residency since early December.
Dinehart declined to answer questions regarding Huston’s accusations of his behavior, and he declined to comment further on Huston’s claims regarding his residency.
