Grants Pass, Oregon – During its regular business session, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners addressed various community concerns, appointed members to local advisory committees, and discussed the issue of local drug overdoses. The meeting, led by Board Chair John West, lasted 66 minutes and began with Requests and Comments from Citizens, where several individuals expressed their support for the sale of the Pipe Fork timber property near Williams.
While a consensus on an immediate sale was not reached, supporters highlighted the potential benefits of the sale, with the Williams Rural Fire Protection District Chief emphasizing the positive impact on community safety, particularly in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
The Consent Calendar included unanimous approvals for committee appointments, with Jamee Harrington appointed to a four-year term on the Special Transportation Committee, Justin Lyons to a four-year term on the Housing & Community Development Council, and Todd Greer to a three-year term on the Collaborative Economic Development Committee.
During the session, Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger addressed the concerning rise in local drug overdoses and expressed reservations about the effectiveness of Measure 110. Referring to City of Grants Pass statistics, he noted a significant increase from 22 responses to overdoses and 11 deaths in 2022 to 197 responses and 15 deaths in 2023. Baertschiger highlighted that Josephine County-specific statistics were unavailable at the time due to pending state releases. The issue of drug overdoses and their impact on the community remains a topic of concern for local authorities.
With no public hearings or specific action items on the agenda, the meeting provided a platform for community members to voice their opinions and for the Board to address ongoing issues within Josephine County.
