There is a line between political messaging and deliberate deception. What took place publicly on April 2, 2026 crossed that line.
During a public appearance at Black Bear Diner, Chad Hansen stood alongside Dwayne Yunker, Simon Hare, Mike Jones, and John West and told those in attendance that I have never contacted him. That claim is not just inaccurate. It is false.
We have met in person. We have sat face to face over coffee and discussed his extensive background investigation in detail. We have seen each other in public and in court. Beyond that, I have made repeated and documented attempts to reach Mr. Hansen through email, text messages, and by phone. I called. I left a voicemail. I followed up. There has been no response. That is the record.
Despite that, Mr. Hansen continues to claim publicly that no contact was ever made. That claim does not hold up against the facts.
During our direct conversations, I addressed specific issues within his background, including a charge he has denied. I took it upon myself to offer a path to resolve that issue and help ensure the record was accurate. That offer was not accepted, and the denial has continued.
At this point, the situation is straightforward. The outreach was made. The conversations happened. The opportunity to respond and correct the record was given. It was ignored.
That is the truth.
So, when Mr. Hansen stands in public and claims he has never been contacted, he is not describing reality. He is rewriting it.
And that is a problem.
Because this is not happening in a vacuum. This is part of a broader pattern involving the same group of individuals presenting a version of events that does not match the documented record. The public is told one thing. The facts show another.
Take, for example, the unresolved business matters involving Mr. Hansen and his associate, Mr. Hare. The outstanding $25,000 owed to the county has not been meaningfully addressed. That issue was raised directly. Mr. Hansen was encouraged to speak with his business partner and ensure that obligation was handled. That did not happen, or at the very least, it has not been communicated transparently to the public.
Instead, those questions are ignored.
At the same time, attention is redirected. The narrative shifts. The press is labeled the problem. The story becomes about “fake news” rather than unanswered questions, unreturned calls, and unaddressed financial obligations.
That is not accountability. That is avoidance.
Let’s be clear about the role of this publication.
The Grants Pass Tribune reaches a significant and growing audience because it documents what others would prefer remain unspoken. It asks questions that require answers. It follows up. It keeps records. And when those records contradict public claims, it reports that contradiction plainly.
No one is being targeted unfairly. No one is being singled out without cause. What is being challenged are statements that do not align with verifiable facts.
Public office is not a shield. It is a responsibility.
When you choose to stand in front of voters, you accept scrutiny. You accept questions. You accept that your actions, your associations, and your financial dealings may be examined. You do not get to ignore that process and then claim it never existed.
If Mr. Hansen or any of those standing beside him believe the record is incorrect, there is a simple and immediate remedy available.
Respond.
Return the calls. Answer the messages. Address the questions directly and publicly.
Because continuing to tell people that no contact was made, when there is clear evidence to the contrary, is not a difference of opinion. It is a misrepresentation of fact.
And as necessary, that record will be made public so the community can see for itself exactly what efforts were made, and exactly who chose not to respond.
This is not personal. It is about truth.
And the truth is not flexible.
At some point, the question becomes unavoidable. If Mr. Hansen is willing to publicly misrepresent basic facts such as phone calls, emails, and direct contact with the press, despite clear evidence to the contrary, what else might he be willing to misrepresent? Voters are entitled to weigh that pattern carefully. When someone seeking elected office, and presenting himself as a pastor, makes statements that conflict with documented interactions, it raises broader concerns about credibility, transparency, and accountability. Those are not small matters. They go directly to the trust the public is being asked to place in him.
Every attempt to reach Mr. Hansen has been documented and unanswered. Multiple emails were sent. Text messages were delivered. A direct phone call was placed, and a sternly worded voicemail was left. Not one of those efforts received a reply. That is not a matter of interpretation or opinion; it is a matter of record. The communication exists, the outreach was made, and the silence that followed speaks for itself.
John Oliver john@grantspassmag.com
Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 11:13 AM
Dear Chad,
I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out directly, as you identified yourself as Simon Hare’s spokesperson during the recent court proceedings, to ask a few questions regarding your new business venture and its potential impact on the community.
We are interested in understanding more about your partnership with Mr. Hare in establishing Patriot Solutions, LLC. Specifically, could you provide insight into the nature of the business and whether it will be offering services to Josephine County or the city of Grants Pass in any capacity? Additionally, we are curious about the reasons for starting this new venture and how many other Josephine County residents will be employed through this partnership.
On a separate note, I would appreciate it if you could clarify the circumstances surrounding your arrest on March 18, 2021, for the offense of operating a vehicle without driving privileges (Case info Party ID: 32746285). Any context you can provide would be helpful.
Thank you for taking the time to address these inquiries. I look forward to your response and welcome to the community.
Best regards,
John Oliver
John Oliver john@grantspassmag.com
Sat, Mar 21, 10:03 PM (12 days ago)
Dear Mr. Hansen,
I hope this message finds you well.
As part of our ongoing coverage of the Josephine County Commissioner race for Position 2, we are reaching out to provide you with an opportunity to respond to a series of questions related to your public statements, professional affiliations, and involvement in development and funding matters within Josephine County.
To date, we have not received responses to prior outreach or questionnaires. In the interest of fairness, transparency, and providing voters with a complete and accurate understanding of each candidate, we are once again offering you the opportunity to address the following questions directly.
We want to be clear that these questions will be reported on with or without your response. However, if you are committed to transparency and accountability to the public, we encourage you to provide clear and thorough answers.
For clarity and accuracy, the following questions are presented in full, along with their respective context and supporting facts. We ask that you respond to each question directly.
These questions are based on publicly available records and documented timelines. We are presenting them clearly and directly so that you have the opportunity to address each matter in your own words.
If you are committed to transparency and accountability to the voters of Josephine County, we encourage you to respond.
Please understand that this information will be reported with or without your response. If no reply is received, we will note that you were given the opportunity to answer these questions and declined to do so.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Candidate: Chad Hansen
Subject: Development, Public Funding, and Governance Overlap
Question 1 — Opioid Settlement Funds
Context:
On September 21, 2023, during a Josephine County Administration Workshop, you addressed the Board and stated your intent to create a treatment facility using opioid settlement funds.
Question:
What specific project or proposal were you referring to when you made that statement?
Supporting Facts:
Date: September 21, 2023
Meeting: Josephine County Administration Workshop
You addressed the Board directly
Statement recorded: intention to create a treatment facility using opioid settlement funds
Simon Hare was present and seated next to you
Question 2 — Relationship with Simon Hare
Context:
You and Simon Hare were both present at the September 21, 2023 meeting and later appear connected through a private entity.
Question:
At the time of that meeting, what was your working relationship with Simon Hare?
Supporting Facts:
Both listed as attendees on September 21, 2023
Present during the same Board discussion
Later associated with Patriot Solutions LLC
Question 3 — Patriot Solutions Funding Request
Context:
A private entity connected to you later requested public funding.
Question:
What specific work justified the $125,000 funding request by Patriot Solutions LLC?
Supporting Facts:
Date: December 3, 2025
Agenda item: Patriot Solutions LLC
Amount requested: $125,000
No clearly documented public scope of work or deliverables in the same record set
Question 4 — Use of Public Funds for Development
Context:
Public funds were used for infrastructure improvements tied to a housing project developed by your organization.
Question:
Why were federal housing funds used to support infrastructure for a project developed by Home Bridging?
Supporting Facts:
2022 Annual Action Plan:
22-lot low-income housing subdivision
Developer listed as Home Bridging GP
CDBG funds used for public improvements
2023 Annual Action Plan:
Public improvements completed prior to construction
Question 5 — Transfer of Development Control
Context:
A project originally associated with Habitat for Humanity was later developed by Home Bridging.
Question:
What process determined that Home Bridging would take over the development?
Supporting Facts:
Habitat for Humanity originally held the land
Records indicate Habitat could not proceed due to development costs
Home Bridging purchased the land
Development continued under Home Bridging
Question 6 — Property Transfer Chain
Context:
Deed records show property transfers from Home Bridging to an individual with your last name and then into an LLC.
Question:
Why did the property transfer from Home Bridging to Austin Hansen and then into Eden View LLC?
Supporting Facts:
2023:
Transfer from Home Bridging to Austin Hansen (~$262,000)
Loan assumption (~$248,000)
2025:
Transfer to Eden View LLC
Recorded as “$0 or other consideration”
Subsequent home sales ranged from $300,000 to $369,000
Question 7 — Financial or Ownership Benefit
Context:
Your involvement appears to span development, land transfers, and projects supported by public funding.
Question:
Did you, your family members, or any affiliated entities receive financial or ownership benefits from these projects?
Supporting Facts:
Development by Home Bridging
Transfer to Austin Hansen
Transfer into Eden View LLC
Public funds used in project-related infrastructure
Question 8 — County Authority (Power of Attorney)
Context:
You were granted authority to act on behalf of Josephine County in certain land-use matters.
Question:
How did you separate your role as a county agent from your involvement in development activities?
Supporting Facts:
Date: February 6, 2024
Home Bridging GP, by and through Chad Hansen, authorized as agent for Josephine County
Scope included land use, rezoning, and subdivision
Question 9 — Public Trust and Independence
Context:
Your name appears across development, public funding, land transfers, county authority, and private business activity.
Question:
Why should voters trust that your decisions as commissioner will remain independent despite these overlapping roles and connections?
Supporting Facts:
Home Bridging development (22-lot subdivision)
Public funding involvement (CDBG infrastructure and programs)
Property transfer chain (Home Bridging → Hansen → LLC)
County authority (Power of Attorney, February 2024)
Private entity funding request (Patriot Solutions LLC, December 2025)
I look forward to your response.
One more quick question that would save me time: Do you currently hold a valid Oregon Driver’s License?
John Oliver Riccio
Editor
The Grants Pass Tribune
John Oliver john@grantspassmag.com
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
John Oliver john@grantspassmag.com
Attachments
Tue, Mar 18, 2025, 4:09 AM
Chad,
Please see attached.
I would call Josh Eastman this week if this is on your report and it’s not you that’s a pretty serious mistake by someone. Let me know if I can help with this at all. I still have some connections that may be able to find out what happened and help getting it removed.
Regardless – I wanted to say thank you again for taking the time to meet with me. I really enjoyed it! Inspiring! 🙂 I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Take care – call anytime you like.
John Oliver john@grantspassmag.com
Thu, Apr 2, 7:55 PM (8 hours ago)
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