A residency dispute between Woodland City Councilor Gabe Huston and Mayor Todd Dinehart continues as tensions between the two public officials have led to claims of false rental agreements and harassment.
Allegations raised
The controversy began during an Aug. 5 council meeting when Dinehart accused Huston of submitting false rental agreements after vacating his previous home in early April. The mayor called the agreements “bogus” and demanded Huston’s resignation.
Huston, who has been undergoing chemotherapy for stage three colon cancer, explained he has been unable to work and was given 30 days’ notice to vacate the property he previously rented. Following the move, Huston stated he maintained residency within Woodland city limits by renting a room from friends, while his family temporarily lived outside the city.
On Aug. 19, the council revisited the matter. After a closed executive session, the council voted 6-1 to allow Dinehart to consult the Cowlitz County prosecutor about Huston’s potential removal from office. Huston, who voted with the majority, later clarified his reasons for doing so.
“There was nothing I had to hide. I wanted to plead my case if I had to … because I figured they would be either sympathetic or [say], ‘this is ridiculous, there’s no reason that this should even be in our office,’” Huston said.
Following that vote, Dinehart maintained he would continue to work with the prosecuting attorney.
Ongoing disputes
Three months later, the dispute shows no signs of resolution. Huston remains on the council, but Dinehart continues to question his eligibility.
In an email sent to The Reflector, Dinehart referenced an Oct. 28 communication from Huston, in which the councilor stated he found a place to live in a neighborhood home in Woodland city limits. Dinehart, however, expressed skepticism of the claim and the attached documents Huston sent to verify his residency.
“Incidentally, Gabe Huston sent me an email on Oct. 28, 2024, writing ‘Just wanted to let you know that I found a place in town…’ However, community members question the truthfulness; hence, I sent him an email on November 14th regarding his residency. This continues to be an on-going situation,” Dinehart stated in an email.
Huston alleges these actions amount to “borderline harassment.” He claims Dinehart has repeatedly emailed him, sharing information from individuals who allegedly drove by his residence and questioned his presence.
“It’s getting almost harassment because he has people driving by my house and telling me that, oh, your car’s not there, or, you’re not there … He emailed me and said that nobody’s seen my car there, [calling] me a liar again,” Huston said.
Residency claims
In response to an interview request, Huston met with The Reflector at a Woodland neighborhood home, where he says he resides with his family under a one-year lease. Huston provided a photocopy of a lease agreement beginning Nov. 1 for a property owned by JGJ Properties LLC.
At the time of publication, The Reflector was unable to confirm the lease. The property owner, John Johns of JGJ Properties LLC, did not respond to requests for comment.
The Reflector will continue to cover developments of this story.
