Somewhere between the TSA checkpoint and the boarding gate, reality hits hard. Six dollars for a bottle of water. Not a luxury item, not a specialty brand, just water. Once you are past the gate, you are captive, and the pricing reflects it. That moment says less about inflation and more about exploitation. Travelers pay because they have no choice. The frustration is immediate and universal, and this week, that same feeling followed us home.
This was a heavy travel week for much of our small staff, and the impact was felt instantly. The moment the roost was left unattended, all hell broke loose. From Barnett to Barnett, the county provided no shortage of chaos. What should have been routine governance once again became a spectacle, and what should have been background noise turned into front page reality.
Ironically, just days ago I found myself thinking about a future where County Commissioner “Recall Select” Chris Barnett is no longer in office. The question popped into my head naturally, what will I write about then. The answer came immediately. Everything else. The community, the people, the progress, the stories that actually matter. That same day, two others asked me the exact same question, and I gave them the same response. Anything other than this will be a relief.
Let me be absolutely clear. We do not go hunting for Barnett stories. They write themselves. Every week, often every day, his own actions generate another headline, another controversy, another drain on public trust. It has been exhausting, not just for this newsroom, but for the county as a whole. There is a deep fatigue setting in, and it shows.
January 6th is approaching, and voters will decide whether they want to continue paying this price or finally shut the gate on the insanity. Based on the events of this past week alone, that decision has not been made difficult for many. This is not about politics or personality. It is about conduct, accountability, and whether county government can function without constant disruption.
When that chapter finally closes, my focus will shift fully to this paper’s growth and continued success, something that has been difficult to prioritize amid nonstop crisis coverage. That said, reality does not end neatly. Unfortunately for both Barnett and me, we are now tied together by his own actions in the courts, a relationship that will likely last for years. The stories may slow down, but the investigations do not end simply because the headlines do.
As for me, I am just getting started. I see my work through to the end. I believe deeply in integrity, grit, and standing your ground without cowering, quitting, or taking the easy path. Barnett made a serious mistake when he chose me as an adversary and came after me in ways that have not yet been fully reported. I believe some lessons need to be taught the right way, and I do not walk away from that responsibility.
Josephine County deserves leadership that does not feel like price gouging, chaos, or captivity. The voters will soon decide whether to keep paying six dollars for water, or finally demand something better.