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FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025

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January 6 Recall Moves Forward as Barnett’s Official Statement Draws Perjury Concerns By John Oliver Josephine County Commissioner Chris Barnett will remain in office through the upcoming recall election after declining the option to resign, triggering a January 6 vote that will determine whether he finishes his term or is removed from office. While that decision alone ensures a politically turbulent month ahead, it is the content of Barnett’s official recall response that has now emerged as a significant point of concern. The statement he submitted to the County Clerk, required under Oregon recall law, is being scrutinized for accuracy and substantiation. If any part of it is proven intentionally false, the recall itself may become secondary to a more serious legal issue. Under Oregon law, an elected official targeted in a recall petition may file a written justification rather than step down. This right is codified in ORS 249.877 and carried out through the state form known as the Statement of Justification, or SEL 352. The purpose of the document is straightforward. It provides the public officer with a limited number of words to defend their record, correct claims made by recall proponents, or explain their decisions in office. Once filed, the statement becomes part of the official record and appears directly on the recall ballot. While the statute gives elected officials the opportunity to speak for themselves, it also imposes strict legal standards for truthfulness.

Oregon election law makes clear that knowingly submitting false or misleading information on any election document, including a recall justification, may constitute a violation of ORS 260.715. Violations of that statute are prosecuted under ORS 260.993, which classifies the offense as a Class C felony. The penalties for a Class C felony in Oregon may include a fine of up to one hundred twenty-five thou-

sand dollars, and a prison sentence of up to five years. These are the same warnings printed directly on the SEL 352 form and in the official recall manual distributed to public officers. Any knowing misrepresentation, even within a single sentence, carries potentially severe consequences. Barnett’s December 8 filing is now drawing heightened attention because several of the

claims included in his justification statement appear to conflict with publicly available information or lack documentation. Among the most significant is his assertion that his actions as commissioner have saved county taxpayers millions of dollars each year. The statement presents the figures as fact even though no supporting financial data has been provided to the public. Without documentation, it remains unclear what initiatives produced the savings, how the totals were calculated or whether county budget records reflect the numbers he reported. To clarify these issues, a formal request was sent to Barnett on December 8 asking him to provide budget analyses, financial reports, or other verifiable records demonstrating the source and accuracy of the stated savings. A second area of concern involves Barnett’s characterization of who is responsible for driving the recall effort. In his official filing he asserted that activist organizations including Restore JOCO, Citizens for Responsible Government and Rogue Indivisible were behind the petition process and that disgruntled former employees were working in alignment with these groups. Within hours of the statement becoming public, Citizens for Responsible Government issued a letter directly contradicting Barnett’s claims. The organization stated that it had twice taken internal votes on whether

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see JANUARY, page 5

Miracle on 6th Street Set to Shine

Grants Pass Gears Up for the 2025 Christmas Parade

By John Oliver Grants Pass is preparing to transform downtown into a festive corridor of lights, music, and holiday cheer as the annual Christmas Parade returns on December 13th, at 6pm. This year's theme, Miracle on 6th Street, promises a lively celebration that brings together families, friends, businesses, and community groups for one of the most anticipated seasonal events in Southern Oregon. The parade route runs along 6th Street from C Street to L Street, turning the heart of downtown into a glowing centerpiece of holiday spirit. Roads in the core area will be closed, so attendees are encouraged to park beyond 7th and 4th Streets before walking in to find the perfect viewing spot. Crowds line the sidewalks early each year, eager to watch colorful floats roll by and enjoy the crisp winter atmosphere that seems to make downtown Grants Pass feel like a scene pulled straight from a classic holiday film. This evening parade has grown into a major tradition for the city, drawing thousands of spectators and participants. Organizers emphasize both

fun and safety, noting that parade entries may include walkers who will be handing out candy along the route. Candy will not be distributed from any vehicles, keeping the focus on interaction between walkers and the crowd. Marching bands, themed floats, community groups, and plenty of festive characters will fill the procession, giving audiences of all ages plenty to smile about. Parade headquarters will once again be located at Casablanca Coffee and Grill at 412 NW 6th Street. This lively hub will house announcers, Santa, and the Grinch while volunteers hand out free hot cocoa and popcorn for up to fifteen hun-

dred people. Magic Donut has joined in the celebration by donating one thousand donut holes for attendees to enjoy. Caroling, laughter, and the steady glow of holiday lights will set the tone for an evening devoted to the warmth of community togetherness. Volunteers remain essential to the success of this cherished event. Those interested in helping are invited to gather in front of the courthouse at 3:30pm on parade day. Organizers encourage anyone with interest to join the team and be part of the behind-the-scenes crew that brings the parade to life each year.

Plans for this year’s after party will be announced soon. Traditionally, community members gather at a local business once the parade concludes to continue the celebration, enjoy refreshments, view floats up close, and extend the holiday spirit well into the evening. Those wishing to participate in the parade can visit grantspasschristmasparade.org for details or pick up applications at the Chamber of Commerce or Caveman Towing. Completed applications may be dropped off at Caveman Towing, whose team continues to support the event each season. Anyone needing banners, signs, magnets, or other vehicle decorations can also reach out to Jefferson Graphic in Grants Pass. With its glowing lights, joyful energy, and unmistakable hometown charm, the 2025 Christmas Parade promises to bring the magic of the season to every corner of 6th Street as the community gathers to celebrate another year of togetherness.