To the Citizens of Josephine County,
Questions abound regarding the Josephine County land sale, with some remaining unanswered despite repeated inquiries. This lack of clarity is compounded by the rapid pace of governance, making it challenging to identify which questions need to be asked for responsible, informed decision-making regarding county assets.
In Williams, we have a vision for the allocation of these properties—a research-based plan for sustainable, profitable, and sovereign land management. However, this is not the immediate issue at hand, nor is it the agenda we ask you to support. In fact, while some may disagree with our perspective, we welcome the democratic process through which the community and public most impacted by these lands will deliberate and discern the will of the people. Right now, our focus is on preserving the democratic process itself, ensuring decisions—especially those with generational impacts—are made with transparency and a long-term vision for the sovereignty and prosperity of the valley.
Statement of Conflict:
Josephine County Commissioner John West has scheduled an auction on November 14 to sell forest properties, impacting local sovereignty and prosperity for generations. These decisions are being made while West is under multiple Oregon Government Ethics Commission investigations, and a recall vote is scheduled for January. (To date, 7,538 signatures have been submitted, surpassing the 6,445 needed for a recall vote.) Some locals suspect possible conflicts of interest due to his previous ownership of neighboring land, family ties to potential bidders, and a longstanding involvement in the timber industry.
Our immediate request is to pause the land sale for three months, allowing a recall vote and giving the Josephine County public the opportunity to evaluate the trustworthiness of current leadership. This pause will give residents time to ask questions and consider options before making decisions about such valuable resources. Big decisions require moving at what we call “the speed of trust,” a pace that fosters confidence in both the democratic process and our elected leaders—even when outcomes don’t align with everyone’s preferences. We ask for your support in restoring this trust, so all county decisions are made with the integrity and due diligence they deserve.
Once the land is sold and potentially clearcut, it will be impossible to reverse the impact. Returning such a valuable asset to the governance of local citizens would be challenging once it’s been sold to a commercial timber company with limited interest in preserving our local environment. Important questions remain unanswered—not only about the decision-makers but also regarding land use for future prosperity. However, regardless of individual opinions, we believe that preserving democratic integrity and good-faith leadership is a priority.
The current speed of decision-making leaves significant questions unanswered. Delaying the sale will provide more time for public input and accountability.
What You Can Do
Attend the public meeting on Wednesday, November 13, at 9:00 a.m. at Anne G. Basker Auditorium (600 NW 6th Street, Grants Pass). A strong turnout will show support, and there will be opportunities to speak or stand in solidarity. If attendance is not possible, we urge you to write to the County Commissioners at bcc@josephinecounty.gov or 500 NW 6th St., Dept 8, Grants Pass, OR 97526. Visit pausepipefork.org for additional resources, including a letter template and an overview of key facts and concerns.
Together, we can work to ensure decisions affecting our community’s resources are made responsibly and with transparency.
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizens of Williams
