Letter to the Editor
To the readers of Josephine County, I write today out of deep concern for the integrity of our local government and the rule of law that is supposed to guide it. What unfolded during the week of December 4 should trouble every resident who believes that public office must be handled with transparency, legality and respect for the voters who ultimately hold the power.
The Board of Commissioners placed an item on its agenda titled appointment of new commissioner or commissioners and instructed county staff to begin accepting applications for a position that did not yet exist. Interviews were scheduled, and a same-day appointment vote was planned for Monday, December 8. At that moment, no vacancy existed under Oregon law or under the Josephine County Home Rule Charter, each of which outlines very clear conditions that must be met before a seat can be deemed open.
Commissioner Andreas Blech did not submit his resignation until the morning of December 5, and even then he attempted to delay its effective moment until 11:59 PM on December 8. That timing would have allowed him to remain in office just long enough to participate in choosing his own replacement. Compounding the situation, Commissioner Chris Barnett is currently under active recall, and Oregon ethics rules prohibit recalled officials from influencing decisions affecting the future composition of the governing body. Despite these restrictions, the Board proceeded as though a lawful vacancy already existed.
This premature opening of applications, the scheduling of interviews and the plan to conduct an appointment vote before any legal authority existed raise serious concerns. Such actions may violate multiple Oregon statutes governing vacancies, public meetings, conflicts of interest and recall procedures, along with specific provisions of the Home Rule Charter designed to preserve the public’s trust in county governance. When elected officials take steps that appear to sidestep or stretch the law, it is not a harmless procedural error. It becomes an attempt to influence the composition of the Board before voters have had their rightful say.
Beyond the legal issues, there is a substantial financial risk to taxpayers. An appointment conducted outside legal bounds could expose the county to costly court challenges. An improperly seated commissioner might file claims following removal, and the county could be held responsible for attorney fees, administrative revisions and even ethics penalties. The potential financial burden is significant and comes at a time when fiscal responsibility should be paramount.
As a citizen raising these concerns, I have not only shared them with this newspaper but have also forwarded them to the Oregon Secretary of State, the Department of Justice, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, the State Bar, and other appropriate authorities. I am requesting immediate scrutiny into possible violations of recall law, misuse of public office, conflicts of interest, and failures by county legal counsel to intervene when the law appears to have been disregarded. I also urge the county to notify the public that any early applications are invalid and that no appointment process can begin until a legitimate vacancy exists.
As Josephine County navigates a period of intense political examination, this matter highlights the growing need for accountability and responsible leadership. The investigations now underway will determine not only whether these actions were lawful, but also whether the public can continue to trust that county government operates with honesty and transparency. How our leaders respond in the coming weeks will shape the future of governance in Josephine County.
Sincerely,
A concerned citizen of Josephine County