Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts announced he is stepping down next week.

Griffitts, who was elected to a second term in 2020, is resigning effective next Tuesday.

The mayor was particularly frustrated Tuesday night when he said new council members Ed DePriest and Sandra White are exposing the city to unnecessary lawsuits by refusing to accept legal advice.

DePriest and White were elected last November, defeating longtime council members Dick Panabaker and Jeri DeLange. White and DePriest began their four-year terms last month.

Here's what Griffitts wrote late last night. The Press will have the complete story in Thursday's Press.

Dear Citizens of Hayden:

Effective March 1, 2022, I will resign as Mayor of our wonderful city. Over the past 6 years, we have worked our way through lawsuits, pandemics, and many long hours of service. Each day, I have tried to represent you with integrity, respect and admiration.

During tonight’s City Council meeting, two of our elected leaders went against specific legal advice. They were told repeatedly that they were exposing the city to risks that would be indefensible in court… yet they didn’t seem to care. As your Mayor, this was the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back”. You elected me to lead this city. I can not do so if this Council doesn’t live up to the oath of office, that they swore to uphold.

Please know that we have exceptional leaders and staff who work for the City of Hayden. They are magnificent. I hope that our City Council can learn to trust them and to respect them.

It has been an honor to serve you.

Steven J. Griffitts