Wasco

Mayor Alex Garcia addresses the Wasco City Council on Tuesday.

WASCO — The Wasco City Council voted to remove Mayor Alex Garcia from his position at a meeting Tuesday, a move which Garcia said was in retaliation for his unsuccessful attempt earlier this year to raise the Pride flag at City Hall.

The 4-1 vote, with Garcia as the lone dissenter, came after a fiery public comment section that pitted members of the community against each other. Some urged the council to show mercy to Garcia, who was pulled over in May on suspicion of drunken driving. Others said public officials need to be held accountable for their actions.

You can reach Sam Morgen at 661-395-7415. You may also follow him on Twitter @smorgenTBC.