BEND, OR -- Bend City Councilor-elect Casey Roats appeared in court Wednesday, as he continues to fight to take his seat on the city council.  A lawsuit was filed earlier this month, claiming Roats didn't meet the city's residency requirement to be elected, and shouldn't be allowed to take office.  In court yesterday, a judge ruled that any deposition with Roats must wait until the court considers a motion to dismiss the entire lawsuit.  That motion is expected to be heard next week.

The plaintiff's attorney, Charlie Ringo, tried to impose an injunction to stop the city council from voting on Roats' elgibility, but the judge refused to grant that motion.  City councilors voted last night to meet with Roats in a closed session on December 1st to discuss his eligibility.  They expect to then decide whether he will be certified with the other two newly elected councilors on December 3rd.  City Manager Eric King tells KBND News, the city's charter dictates councilors decide such eligibility issues, not the state government or the courts.