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FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026

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Promises Without Power: John West’s Campaign Collides With the Reality of the Office He Wants Back By John Oliver John West is asking Josephine County voters for a return to power, stepping back into the public arena after being recalled from the very position he now seeks again. His campaign voice is confident, forceful, and built around a message many residents want to hear. Taxes are too high. Government is spending too much. Working families are getting squeezed. “Let’s cut taxes and stop taxes that effect working families and seniors on a fixed income deeply,” West wrote in a recent public post. He followed that with a warning, urging voters to reject a measure he claims would raise gas taxes, double payroll taxes, and dramatically increase DMV fees across Oregon. It is a message designed to connect with frustration. It is also a message that demands scrutiny. Because once the rhetoric is set aside, a basic and unavoidable question remains. Can a county commissioner actually do what John West is promising? The answer, grounded in the structure of Oregon government, is NO! Gas taxes are set by the state legislature. Payroll taxes tied to statewide programs are set by the state. DMV fees are set by the state. These are not policies debated or decided in Josephine County. They are not subject to a vote by county commissioners. They are not within the authority of the office West is running for. A county commissioner cannot lower the

Earth Day 2026

Oregon Communities Mark April 22 with Cleanup Efforts, Local Events, and Everyday Action state gas tax. A county commissioner cannot block a statewide payroll tax. A county commissioner cannot prevent DMV fee increases. The position simply does not have that reach. Yet West presents these issues as central to his campaign, framing them as problems he can directly confront. That disconnect between promise and power is not subtle. It is foundational. The concern is not whether taxes are too high. Many residents believe they are. The con-

cern is whether a candidate is accurately representing what they can do about it. When a candidate tells voters he will stop or cut taxes that are controlled entirely outside his jurisdiction, it creates an expectation that cannot be met. That is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of structure. West’s own words sharpen that contrast. In one post, he states, “Oregon is already among the top 12 highest gas tax states. Vote no on

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see JOHN, page 3

Oregon Ties Collide With Washington Fallout Labor Secretary ChavezDeRemer Departs Under Investigation By John Oliver Washington moved quickly this week, but the ripple hit Oregon just as hard. The exit of Lori Chavez-DeRemer from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet marks more than a personnel shakeup in the nation’s capital. For many across Oregon, it lands closer to home, tied to a political figure whose rise from local government to the federal stage once signaled a growing voice for the state in national leadership. That trajectory has now been interrupted by a cluster of allegations that triggered a formal federal investigation and ultimately led to her departure as head of the U.S. Department of Labor. According to multiple national reports, the allegations include claims of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, the use of alcohol during official duties, and the potential misuse of government resources for personal benefit. Additional concerns have surfaced about workplace conduct and internal management practices, prompting scrutiny not only of Chavez-DeRemer’s leadership

but of the environment within the department itself. Federal investigators had already begun examining the situation through the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General before the resignation was confirmed. The inquiry remains ongoing, and no final public findings have been released, leaving key details unresolved even as the leadership transition moves forward. The White House has installed Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling as acting head of the agency, a move intended to stabilize operations within a department responsible for enforcing wage laws, workplace safety standards, and employment protections af-

fecting millions of Americans. For Oregon, the moment carries a sharper edge. Chavez-DeRemer’s political roots run through the state, where she served as mayor of Happy Valley before being elected to Congress. Her appointment to a Cabinet-level position had been viewed by some as a notable extension of Oregon’s influence in federal policymaking, particularly in areas tied to labor, workforce development, and economic stability. Now, that connection is being reframed through a different lens, one focused on accountability and the pressures that accompany national office. The contrast is difficult

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see LABOR, page 5

By Ellen Ward Today is Earth Day, an annual observance recognized across the nation, focused on environmental protection, conservation, and public participation. First established in 1970, Earth Day continues to serve as a coordinated opportunity for communities to engage in activities that support cleaner air, water, and land. From urban centers to rural valleys, Earth Day events are scheduled throughout the state, offering residents opportunities to participate in cleanup efforts, restoration projects, and educational activities. These events are designed to encourage both immediate action and long-term awareness of environmental challenges affecting air quality, water resources, and land use. In Portland, activities are expected at Laurelhurst Park, located at 3551 SE Ankeny Street, where volunteers will gather beginning at 10 a.m. for park cleanup efforts and environmental outreach. Organizers typically coordinate litter removal, recycling education, and community engagement activities throughout the day. Further south in Eugene, Alton Baker Park at 100 Day Island Road will host Earth Day programming starting at 9 a.m. The focus in Eugene includes habitat restoration projects along the Willamette River, along with informational booths addressing sustainability practices and conservation strategies. In Southern Oregon, Earth Day efforts are centered on community participation and local stewardship. In Medford, volunteers are expected to meet near Hawthorne Park, 501 East Main Street, at 9 a.m. for a coordinated cleanup along Bear Creek. The effort targets litter removal and general maintenance of one of the city’s primary waterways.

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see COMMUNITIES, page 9