A wave of continued mounting frustration is spreading across Josephine County as more and more residents are voicing concerns over what they see as Commissioner Chris Barnett’s blatant disregard for the serious responsibilities of his elected office. The criticism, which has long been simmering in investigative reports from The Grants Pass Tribune, has now boiled over into public outcry on social media, where citizens are questioning whether Barnett is more interested in promoting his personal image than doing the work taxpayers elected him to do.
The catalyst for this renewed anger came earlier this week, when Barnett spent part of a regular business day livestreaming from his personal Facebook account to showcase the grand opening of Bath & Body Works and the groundbreaking for a new Chipotle restaurant in Grants Pass. The performance had the air of a cheerful lifestyle reporter rather than that of a full-time county commissioner tasked with managing multi-million-dollar budgets, crafting policy, and overseeing vital public services.
This is not the first time Barnett’s behavior has raised eyebrows. Since taking office, the Tribune has documented a pattern that suggests Barnett never truly sought the commissioner seat as a platform for public service. Rather, it has increasingly appeared to be little more than another feather in his personal cap—another résumé item for a man obsessed with self-promotion.
Many in the community say they are waking up to the reality that Barnett’s priorities lie not with Josephine County residents but with his own ego. His latest livestream only reinforced that perception. While economic development is certainly a worthy cause, using taxpayer-funded time to broadcast personal commentary on national retail chains does little to advance the actual needs of the county. More troubling is the platform Barnett used for this broadcast: his personal Facebook page, which carries the disclaimer, “This is my personal Facebook page for friends of Chris Barnett. Not for county business.”
That disclaimer might give the appearance of a clean separation between personal musings and official duties. But a closer look shows that Barnett’s social media is anything but consistent. Just a day prior to the retail livestream, the same page featured Barnett wearing his official commissioner badge while presenting a “hero award” alongside a partisan political group. Another post depicted him with fellow commissioners handing out a certificate of appreciation to a local service club. These are clearly official functions of his elected role, making the lines between personal and professional hopelessly blurred.
This inconsistency has sparked valid concerns about transparency and accountability—two principles that should be at the core of public office but seem increasingly absent in Barnett’s conduct. Residents are right to ask: Is his Facebook page a personal outlet, or is it a stage for official county business when it serves his public image? And more importantly, should county taxpayers be subsidizing a $93,000 salary—costing them nearly $139,000 when benefits are included—for a commissioner who seems more interested in marketing himself than governing?
Josephine County commissioners are full-time officials. They are not part-time influencers or local celebrities. Their job is not to chase social media engagement, but to set sound policies, oversee land use decisions, manage critical departments, and address the very real challenges that impact county residents every day—from public health and safety to emergency services and infrastructure.
Commissioners are also expected to engage with the public transparently and ethically. Yet Barnett’s selective use of platforms and mixed messaging raises questions about whether transparency is truly a priority or merely a talking point.
No one is begrudging the celebration of new businesses or economic growth. But when photo ops and livestreams take precedence over the hard, often unglamorous work of governance, residents are justified in wondering whether their elected officials are serving the community—or simply themselves.
Judging by the growing chorus of dissatisfaction online, many in Josephine County have already formed their answer. They are tired of the showmanship, tired of the posturing, and tired of an official who seems to treat his position as a stage rather than a solemn duty. Increasingly, they are demanding something far simpler and far more valuable: leadership that puts people before personal branding.
Whether Barnett will listen—or double down on the spotlight—remains to be seen. But the community is clearly paying attention, and their patience is running out.