The political stage in Josephine County continues to be a hotbed of controversy, fueled by former Commissioner John West and the actions of the newly seated Commissioners, Barnett and Smith. It seems the recall of West was a prudent decision, but his exit from office is anything but quiet. Like a bull in a china shop, West, in collaboration with his two recently installed allies, has left a trail of decisions that have ignited community concern and frustration.
In one of their first moves, the trio unanimously voted to terminate the current lease agreement for the Grants Pass Library. This decision, which effectively ends the library’s $1-per-year lease, forces the library district to renegotiate terms for a county asset, raising questions about the timing and intent of the action. Commissioner West stated, “It doesn’t mean they’re kicked out of the building, it just means this lease agreement…is no longer in effect.” However, critics argue that this abrupt decision undermines the library district, particularly since it had previously requested a postponement of the meeting, citing short notice and the absence of its legal counsel.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Commissioners also introduced and voted on a proposal to pause property management fees for all timber properties recently sold. The problem? This topic was not on the official meeting agenda. According to Oregon’s open meetings laws, public bodies must provide proper notice of all agenda items to ensure transparency. Sneaking in an unannounced vote could constitute a violation of both ethical and legal standards. For West and his allies, this blatant disregard for procedure has painted a clear picture of their governance style—a style many residents hoped to leave behind with West’s recall.
The library roof was another topic of discussion, with implications that it requires urgent repairs. Yet, this issue seemingly came out of nowhere, raising questions about the validity of the claims and the motivations behind the sudden urgency. Community members have expressed skepticism, with some questioning whether this is another example of the new Commissioners acting on incomplete or misleading information.
The actions of West, Barnett, and Smith highlight a troubling disregard for the rule of law and the county charter. These decisions, made mere hours into their new term, have already drawn the ire of residents who voted for accountability and transparency. The people of Josephine County have demonstrated their willingness to hold politicians accountable, as evidenced by the recall process that removed West from office. If this week is any indication, Barnett and Smith may find themselves similarly scrutinized.
One of the most pressing concerns now is how the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) plans to fill West’s vacated seat. According to the county charter, the process requires an official job posting, followed by interviews and a fair selection process. As of January 7th, no job postings have been made, raising doubts about whether the new commissioner can be sworn in by the proposed date of January 14th. If Barnett and Smith fail to adhere to these procedural requirements, they risk further erosion of public trust.
Several qualified candidates are expected to apply for the open seat, but the lack of transparency so far has left many questioning whether the process will be fair and impartial. The next few days will be critical for Barnett and Smith to prove they can uphold the principles of good governance. Will they follow the charter, or will they continue down the path of questionable decision-making set by their predecessor?
For the residents of Josephine County, the stakes are high. The recent actions of the Commissioners underscore the importance of vigilance and civic engagement. The recall of John West was a powerful reminder that voters have the final say in holding their leaders accountable. If Barnett and Smith fail to meet the community’s expectations, the people are prepared to act once again.
In these turbulent times, one thing is clear: the voters of Josephine County will not stand for politics as usual. They demand leaders who respect the laws, prioritize the community’s needs, and govern with integrity. The coming weeks will reveal whether Barnett and Smith are up to the task—or if the people will need to take matters into their own hands once more. For now, all eyes are on the new Commissioners as they navigate their first major test in office.
