A year after voters in Josephine County removed him from office through a recall, former County Commissioner John West is once again seeking a return to public office. His campaign arrives with familiar messaging, and with a pattern that has not changed. The continued absence of direct, transparent engagement with the public raises questions that remain unresolved.
This is no longer a matter of interpretation. It is a matter of record.
During the current election cycle, West was provided multiple structured opportunities to communicate directly with voters. The Grants Pass Tribune distributed a standardized eleven-question candidate questionnaire to every individual running for county commissioner. The questions were consistent for all candidates and addressed core responsibilities of the office, including budgeting, leadership, ethics, land use policy, public trust, and administrative oversight.
West did not respond.
A second outreach effort followed regarding issues tied to Graves Creek, again offering West the opportunity to provide written responses in his own words. The purpose was straightforward. It was designed to allow voters to hear directly from him without interpretation or filtering.
He did not respond again.
A third opportunity extended further. West was offered a recorded, in-person interview in a controlled and non-confrontational setting. He would have received all questions in advance and been allowed to respond fully without interruption. The entire exchange would have been recorded and made publicly available to ensure complete transparency.
That opportunity was also declined.
Instead of participating in any of the offered formats, West chose to issue a statement through his own social media channels, where he labeled the Grants Pass Tribune as “fake news” and attempted to justify his refusal to engage. In that same statement, he asserted, “I previously sued them over false statements made about me and was awarded approximately $457,000 by the court,” presenting the matter as settled in his favor. However, that characterization omits critical context. The underlying court proceedings remain subject to appeal, and no final determination on the merits has been fully adjudicated through that process. West also claimed that the publication required a disclaimer allowing his responses to be edited in a way that could alter their substance. That assertion, as presented, does not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding the Tribune’s outreach or the options that were made available for a transparent, unaltered public exchange, and as such, the statement by West itself is demonstrably false.
The Grants Pass Tribune disputes John West’s characterization of the legal proceedings he references, noting that the matter has not been adjudicated on its merits by a judge or jury. The outcome cited by West was a procedural default, not a substantive ruling based on evidence, testimony, or legal findings. That distinction is critical. A default does not constitute a determination that the claims are true or that damages are warranted based on the facts of the case. The Tribune has taken steps to challenge that outcome and intends to pursue an appeal, where the case can be properly examined. Should the matter proceed to a full hearing, with evidence presented and subject to scrutiny, the current narrative is expected to be tested in a court of law rather than asserted through incomplete or misleading claims.
At no point did the Tribune state or imply that responses would be altered in substance. The communication clearly indicated that answers would be presented as written, with only standard corrections for grammar and punctuation. A fully transparent public interview format was also offered to eliminate any possibility of misrepresentation. That offer was declined.
This discrepancy raises legitimate concerns regarding accuracy and credibility.
The issue extends beyond participation. It reaches into specific questions tied to decisions made during West’s time in office. Among them are actions involving county-owned properties processed through tax foreclosure and subsequent sale.
County records show that on April 24, 2024, West voted in favor of Orders 2024-025, 2024-026, and 2024-027, authorizing the designation and sale of certain properties. On July 31, 2024, he again voted under Order 2024-046 to confirm those transactions. One property, approximately 100 acres in the Graves Creek corridor, has drawn particular attention due to the sequence of its transfer.
Available information indicates the parcel was sold through the foreclosure process for approximately $214,000 to a private intermediary and later resold for approximately $235,400 to a sitting county commissioner operating within the same regional area.
That sequence raises clear and reasonable questions. How was the property valued at the time of sale. Were independent appraisals conducted. Was fair market value achieved. Were appropriate safeguards in place to protect public assets. These are questions tied directly to public accountability and stewardship.
West has not addressed them.
What has emerged instead is a consistent pattern. Multiple opportunities were provided. Each was structured to ensure fairness, clarity, and transparency. Written responses were offered. Advance notice was given. Public formats were made available. The conditions were equal to those extended to all other candidates to include, Dwayne Yunker, Chad Hansen, and Simon Hare.
Each opportunity was declined.
If John West is willing to engage in a thorough and transparent discussion regarding the matters that have been reported over the past several years, there is a clear path available to do so. I would welcome the opportunity to facilitate that conversation in a formal setting with appropriate federal authorities, including representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, and the Internal Revenue Service. A setting of that nature would allow for a structured and verifiable review of the facts and provide an opportunity for any outstanding questions to be addressed directly and on the record.
At this point, there remain significant unresolved issues that warrant clarification. These are not only matters of public interest but also concerns that merit serious attention. The public deserves clear and complete answers, and accountability should not be avoided or deferred. Whether or not Mr. West chooses to participate in such a process, the expectation remains that these questions be addressed in a credible, transparent, and responsible manner.
What is already clear is the message being conveyed to voters. A candidate seeking public office is being presented with direct and repeated opportunities to explain his record and articulate his positions.
Those opportunities have not been accepted.
In the absence of answers, the pattern itself becomes the most telling response.
A campaign built on public trust cannot avoid the questions that define accountability. Silence does not resolve uncertainty. It reinforces it. As voters once again consider the direction of county leadership, the absence of engagement may carry as much weight as any statement that could have been made.
Taken together, the record speaks for itself. Mr. West was given multiple, clearly documented opportunities to present his positions to the public through an open and transparent process, with the assurance that his responses could be published in full and without alteration. Rather than take advantage of that opportunity, he chose to dismiss the platform as “fake news” and decline participation altogether. If he genuinely believes that claim, this was the most direct and credible way to demonstrate it by placing his own words side by side, unedited and publicly accountable. The invitation remains straightforward: present the information as he sees it, allow it to be published exactly as written, and let the public decide.
Email sent by the Grants Pass Tribune to Candidate West on March 21st, 2026.
Mr. West,
This correspondence is a formal request for clarification and a public statement regarding actions taken during your tenure as a member of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners, specifically related to county land disposition through tax foreclosure proceedings and subsequent sales.
County records reflect that on April 24, 2024, you voted with the Board to approve Orders 2024-025, 2024-026, and 2024-027, authorizing the designation, alienation, and sale of county-owned properties through the Sheriff’s sale process. Further records indicate that on July 31, 2024, under Order 2024-046, you again voted to confirm those sales, with testimony at the time describing the parcels as tax-foreclosed properties that had progressed through a multi-year statutory process.
In light of these actions, questions have emerged regarding a specific transaction involving approximately 100 acres of land located in Section 17 within the Graves Creek corridor. Available information suggests that this parcel, with historical county ownership dating back several decades, was processed through the foreclosure pipeline, sold for approximately $214,000 to a private intermediary, and subsequently resold within a relatively short period for approximately $235,400 to a sitting county commissioner operating within the same regional corridor.
While Oregon law under ORS Chapter 275 provides counties with the authority to dispose of tax-foreclosed properties, the circumstances surrounding this particular transaction have prompted concerns within the community regarding classification of the land, valuation practices, procedural transparency, and the proximity of public officials to subsequent acquisitions.
Accordingly, you are respectfully requested to provide a clear and comprehensive response addressing the following matters.
Please explain your understanding of the classification of the Graves Creek parcel at the time of the Board’s approval. Specifically, was this property properly categorized as a tax-foreclosed parcel under the statutory framework, and what documentation or criteria were relied upon to support that designation.
Please outline the valuation process used to determine the sale price of the property. What measures, if any, were taken to ensure that the property was not sold below fair market value, and were independent appraisals or competitive bidding mechanisms utilized.
Please clarify your knowledge, if any, of the identity of the purchasing intermediary at the time of the sale, and whether you were aware of any intended resale of the property to another party, including any public official, prior to or at the time of your vote.
Please state whether any conflict-of-interest disclosures, recusals, or internal reviews were considered or conducted in connection with this transaction, either before or after the sale was finalized.
Finally, as a current candidate for public office, please provide your position on whether the existing county process for handling tax-foreclosed land sales adequately protects public interest, and what, if any, policy changes or safeguards you would support to ensure transparency, fairness, and public trust moving forward.
This request is made in the interest of providing the public with clear, factual information regarding decisions that impact public land, public resources, and confidence in local governance. Your response will help inform voters and contribute to a more transparent public dialogue.
A timely response is appreciated.
Respectfully,
John Oliver Riccio
Grants Pass Tribune
Email sent to all County Commissioner Candidates – Sat, Mar 7, 6:10 AM
Dear Josephine County Commissioner Candidates,
As part of the Grants Pass Tribune’s continued commitment to transparency, public accountability, and informed civic engagement, we are providing each candidate in the upcoming Josephine County Commissioner election with the same set of eleven questions for consideration. Your participation is voluntary, and you may choose to answer all, some, or none of the questions. Should you decide to respond, we ask that you also include a favorable headshot that you would like published alongside your responses. All candidates are receiving the identical questionnaire to ensure fairness and consistency in coverage. Responses must be submitted no later than March 13, 2026, in order to be considered for publication in the Grants Pass Tribune as part of our election coverage. If you have any questions regarding this request, please feel free to reply directly to this email.
Grants Pass Tribune
2026 Josephine County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire
As part of our coverage of the 2026 election, the Grants Pass Tribune is asking each candidate for Josephine County Commissioner to respond to the following questions.
These questions are being sent to all candidates equally to help voters understand your priorities, leadership philosophy, and approach to governing.
- What is the central platform of your campaign?
What specific issues motivated you to run for Josephine County Commissioner, and what are the top three priorities you would pursue if elected? - Public trust in county government has been strained in recent years.
What steps would you take to restore transparency, professionalism, and public confidence in the Josephine County Board of Commissioners? - County commissioners oversee millions of taxpayer dollars and shape the county budget.
What principles will guide your budgeting decisions, and how will you ensure fiscal responsibility while maintaining essential services for residents? - Hiring practices within county government have been the subject of public debate.
If elected, will you commit to avoiding the hiring of close friends, family members, or political allies for county positions, and what safeguards would you support to ensure merit-based hiring? - How do you believe the current and previous Boards of Commissioners have performed?
What decisions or actions do you believe were handled well, and what would you have done differently? - Commissioners frequently influence policy affecting land use, rural development, and economic growth.
What is your vision for responsible economic development in Josephine County, and how would you balance growth with protection of the county’s rural character and natural resources? - Political divisions and accusations of political bullying have become common topics in county government.
How would you work with fellow commissioners, staff, and community members who strongly disagree with you? - County commissioners often serve as the bridge between citizens and government departments.
How would you ensure that residents feel heard and represented, particularly those who believe county leadership has ignored their concerns? - Josephine County faces ongoing challenges related to housing, infrastructure, public safety, and economic opportunity.
Which of these issues do you believe deserves the most urgent attention, and what practical steps would you take in your first year in office? - Leadership matters as much as policy.
What qualities make you the right person to serve as a Josephine County Commissioner, and how will your leadership style differ from what voters have seen in recent years?
- Bonus Question – Ethics, Accountability, and Public Trust
Public confidence in government depends heavily on ethical leadership and accountability. If elected, how would you respond if you discovered corruption within a county department or within the Board of Commissioners itself? Please explain how you define corruption, cronyism, nepotism, and conflicts of interest in the context of public service, and describe the specific steps you would take to prevent or address these issues within Josephine County government.
Please send your response to: john@grantspasstribune.com no later than March 13th, 2026.
By agreeing to participate in this interview with the Grants Pass Tribune, you acknowledge that your statements, responses, and comments may be recorded, quoted, summarized, edited for clarity, and published as part of a news article, editorial, feature story, or related journalistic coverage in print, digital, and social media platforms operated by the Grants Pass Tribune. You further grant permission for the publication to use your name, likeness, and any photographs or images taken in connection with the interview for legitimate news reporting and promotional purposes related to the publication.
By continuing with the interview, you confirm that your participation is voluntary and that the statements you provide are your own. You agree to release and hold harmless the Grants Pass Tribune, its publisher, editors, writers, and affiliates from any claims or legal actions arising from the publication of your statements, answers, likeness, or photographs in connection with legitimate journalistic reporting.
Regards,
John Oliver Riccio
Thu, Apr 2, 7:55 PM
to:
Dear Mr. John West,
Mr. Chad Hansen,
Mr. Dwayne Yunker, and
Mr. Simon Hare,
I am writing to formally extend an invitation on behalf of the Grants Pass Tribune for each of you to participate in a recorded, in-person question-and-answer interview.
This interview will be conducted in a public setting, with all participants present together. The format will not be a debate. Instead, it will be a structured and respectful opportunity for each of you to answer the same set of questions, allowing the public to hear directly from you in your own words.
To ensure fairness and preparation, each of you will receive the full list of questions one day in advance of the interview. During the session, I will ask each question, and you will have the opportunity to respond fully and without interruption. The entire discussion will be recorded. Following the interview, I will produce a comprehensive feature news report based on the conversation. If you choose, the full recording can also be made available to the public for complete transparency.
There has been ongoing public discussion suggesting that opportunities to respond to questions have not been provided. This invitation is a clear and direct effort to offer each of you that opportunity. I have previously attempted to reach each of you through calls, text messages, and voicemails where possible. This email serves as an additional and formal invitation to participate.
If there is interest, we are also open to making this a publicly accessible event where community members may attend and listen. The goal is to provide clarity, transparency, and a fair platform for each candidate to address the public.
Please respond at your earliest convenience to coordinate scheduling and confirm your participation. I am committed to working with each of you to find a mutually agreeable time and location.
This is an opportunity to speak directly to the community, clarify positions, and ensure that voters have access to accurate and complete information.
I look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
John Oliver Riccio
Publisher, Grants Pass Tribune