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FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026

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Recalled by 62% of Voters, Repeating the Pattern

John West Seeks Return to Office While Avoiding Direct Questions

By John Oliver 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 of-

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see WEST, page 3

Grants Pass Schools Finally Ditch Muddy Tracks for Year-Round Athletic Facilities By John Oliver For generations of Grants Pass students, running track didn’t just mean competing against the clock. It meant navigating mud, uneven footing, and fields that turned unusable the moment the rain rolled in. That reality is now on its way out. Grants Pass School District 7 is moving forward with a long-overdue overhaul of its middle school athletic facilities, bringing modern, all-weather tracks to both North and South Middle Schools for the first time in district history. The upgrade replaces aging decomposed granite tracks that have limited use, created safety concerns, and forced students to work around conditions instead of focusing on performance. When the weather turned, those surfaces often became unreliable, cutting into physical education time and sidelining opportunities for athletics. That’s about to change. Each campus will receive a six-lane, regulation-size track designed for consistent, yearround use. The new surfaces are built to handle Southern Oregon’s wet seasons without breaking down, giving students a dependable

place to train, compete, and stay active regardless of conditions. At North Middle School, the improvements go further. The football field, long impacted by drainage problems, will also be upgraded to address standing water issues that have made it difficult to use after rainfall. The project isn’t just about replacing what’s worn out. It’s about correcting a gap that has quietly affected students for years. Until now, middle school teams have had to travel to Grants Pass High School for track meets, creating scheduling challenges, add-

ing transportation costs, and pulling students out of class time just to compete. Bringing those events back to campus changes that equation. It keeps students closer to their schools, reduces disruptions, and gives middle school programs a stronger sense of identity. The upgrades will also include improved accessibility and expanded space for future spectator seating, signaling that the district is planning for growth rather than simply catching up.

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see YEAR, page 5

Community Forum to Spotlight Future of Washington– Midland Redevelopment in Grants Pass City of Grants Pass A key piece of property in northwest Grants Pass is moving one step closer to a potential transformation, and city officials are inviting the public to take part in the conversation. Later this month, the Grants Pass Urban Renewal Agency will host a community forum focused on the future of an eight-plus-acre site located near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Midland Avenue, an area positioned between 6th Street and Washington Boulevard. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Fireside Event Center in the Ember Room, located at 940 SE 8th Street. The forum is designed to give residents, business owners, and stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about the proposed redevelopment efforts while also offering input on what the future of the site could look like. The Washington–Midland property has long been viewed as a location with significant potential due to its size and proximity to existing transportation routes and commercial corridors. City planners and redevelopment officials are now working to shape a long-term vision that could bring new economic activity, improved infrastructure, and expanded opportunities for community use. Urban renewal agencies typically focus on revitalizing underutilized or aging areas through strategic investment, planning, and partnerships. In this case, the effort centers on evaluating how the Washington–Midland site could be redeveloped in a way that aligns with broader community goals while supporting sustainable growth in Grants Pass. The

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see WASHINGTON, page 11