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FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2025

How Barnett’s Recall Defenders Keep Repeating Disproven Claims

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The Lie That Wouldn’t Die

By John Oliver In Josephine County, the dispute surrounding County Commissioner Chris Barnett and the recall effort against him has moved far beyond a routine political disagreement. What has unfolded instead is a prolonged and increasingly documented clash between verifiable public records and a parallel narrative that continues to be promoted by Barnett and his political supporters, even after being directly confronted with evidence showing that key claims are false. At the center of the controversy is a pattern that critics say reflects not confusion or misunderstanding, but a willful refusal to correct the record once the facts became inconvenient. The core issue involves repeated claims that Barnett and allied political organizations have saved Josephine County approximately $1.5 million annually through personnel decisions, including a voluntary resignation program and departmental terminations. These claims were circulated publicly in recall rebuttal materials, on social media, and through official partisan communications. However, public records obtained directly from the county’s own finance department tell a markedly different story, one

that undercuts the central talking point used to discredit the recall. Those records were obtained through formal public records requests under Oregon law, requests that themselves became part of the controversy. Correspondence shows delays, overlapping acknowledgements, and explanations involving staff absences that raised questions about transparency and timeliness. Despite those delays, the requested documents were eventually produced, and when reviewed alongside explanations provided by county finance staff, they revealed that the claimed savings simply do not exist in the manner being advertised. According to the county’s Voluntary Resignation Program cost analysis, only a small

number of positions associated with the program resulted in any ongoing savings. Most of the positions were either refilled or budgeted to be refilled, negating any long-term fiscal reduction. One of the positions cited as a savings example was grant funded, meaning its elimination produced no net benefit to the county budget at all. Of the remaining positions, at least one has already been identified as a candidate for refilling in future budgets, further eroding the claim of permanent savings. In practical terms, the records show that the actual ongoing savings from the voluntary resignation program fall somewhere between zero and two positions, depending on future staffing decisions. Even that estimate fails to account for the reality that eliminated facilities

positions do not make the work disappear. In many cases, the county must still pay contractors to perform the same tasks, shifting costs rather than eliminating them. This distinction, documented in county records and explained by finance staff, directly contradicts the public messaging that has continued to circulate. The individual who brought much of this documentation forward is Jay Meredith, a certified public accountant and longtime observer of county government. Meredith has attended or monitored Board of Commissioners meetings for more than a decade and has been directly involved in past local recall efforts. In communications sent to political party leadership and county officials, Meredith warned that the continued publication of incorrect financial claims could expose those responsible to legal risk, particularly in the context of a recall election, which Oregon law treats as an election even during the signature gathering phase. Meredith’s warnings were not vague or speculative. He attached the underlying public records, explained how to read the cost analysis, and repeatedly invited party officials to meet in person to review the data line by line. Those invitations were largely declined. Instead, the disputed claims continued to appear in official recall rebuttal materials, including on websites associated with the local Republican organization. That organization, the Josephine County Republican Central Committee, has played a cen-

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see DISPROVEN, page 5

What Modest Economic Growth Really Means for Southern Oregon Households By John Oliver The latest federal economic report delivered a headline that sounded far more dramatic than the reality most Southern Oregon residents experience day to day. While national coverage highlighted a 4.3 percent annualized growth rate for the U.S. economy in the third quarter, the actual quarter-to-quarter expansion was closer to 1.1 percent. That distinction matters, especially in regions like Southern Oregon where household budgets, small businesses, and local governments feel economic shifts long before they appear in national averages. An annualized figure assumes that one quarter’s pace continues unchanged for an entire year. It is a projection, not a measurement of what actually happened on the ground over those three months. The real growth rate reflects the economy’s actual expansion between July and September, and at roughly 1.1 percent, that growth was steady but far from explosive. For Southern Oregon residents, this explains why a seemingly strong national report may not feel like a boom at the grocery store, gas pump, or utility counter. Much of the reported growth came from areas that do not always translate directly into local paychecks. Federal data shows increases in consumer spending on services, higher government spending, and changes in trade that boosted the national total as imports declined and exports increased. Those shifts can lift GDP without mean-

ingfully improving household financial security. In rural and semi-rural regions like Josephine and Jackson counties, where wages lag behind metropolitan areas and the cost of essentials continues to rise, modest growth does little to ease financial strain. Southern Oregon consumers remain cautious, and for good reason. Food prices, insurance premiums, electricity, and fuel costs have all remained elevated. A 1.1 percent quarterly expansion does not offset years of accumulated inflation. Many households are still prioritizing necessities over discretionary spending, which affects local retailers, restaurants, and service providers. When shoppers pull back even slightly,

small businesses feel the impact quickly, limiting hiring and expansion. The labor market also reflects this slower reality. While national employment figures remain relatively stable, hiring growth has softened. In Southern Oregon, where seasonal work, tourism, healthcare, and construction play outsized roles, even minor slowdowns can ripple through the community. Employers facing higher borrowing costs and uncertain consumer demand are less likely to add staff or raise wages aggressively, reinforcing the feeling that economic momentum is limited. Housing provides another clear example of how modest growth translates locally. Mortgage rates remain high, keeping many would-be buyers on the sidelines and slowing home sales. For renters, limited housing supply continues to push costs upward. A quarter of modest economic growth does little to resolve these structural challenges, especially in areas already facing housing shortages and affordability pressures. Local governments are not immune either. County and city budgets depend heavily on property taxes, service fees, and economic activity. When growth is steady but subdued, public agencies often face difficult choices, balancing rising costs for infrastructure, public safety, and social services against constrained revenues. For residents, this can mean delayed projects, reduced services, or increased fees. What the latest data does signal is stability

rather than acceleration. The economy is growing, not contracting, which reduces the immediate risk of recession. For Southern Oregon, that stability helps preserve existing jobs and businesses, even if it does not generate rapid improvement. It also suggests that interest rates may remain higher for longer, as policymakers weigh continued growth against inflation that has yet to fully retreat. That prospect affects everything from farm loans and business credit lines to car purchases and home refinancing. For everyday residents, the takeaway is simple. Despite optimistic national headlines, economic conditions remain tight. Growth is real, but modest, and unevenly felt. Southern Oregon households continue to navigate higher costs with limited wage growth, relying on careful budgeting rather than economic tailwinds. Until growth translates more directly into lower prices, stronger local hiring, and increased disposable income, the gap between national statistics and lived experience is likely to remain firmly in place.

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NATIONAL Maryland Verdict Intensifies National Legal Pressure on Johnson & Johnson Over Talc Products By Ellen Ward A Baltimore City jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson and related entities to pay more than $1.5 billion to a Maryland woman who alleged that long-term use of the company’s talc-based personal care products caused her to develop cancer, marking the largest single-plaintiff verdict the company has faced in decades of talc litigation. The verdict stems from a lawsuit brought by a Maryland resident who claimed she developed peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer commonly associated with asbestos exposure, after years of using talc-based baby powder products. Jurors concluded that the products were a substantial contributing factor to her illness and that the companies involved failed to adequately warn consumers of potential risks. The total award included compensatory damages for medical harm and substantial punitive damages intended to penalize and deter corporate conduct the jury found unacceptable. Johnson & Johnson has consistently denied that its talc products cause cancer or contain asbestos, maintaining that decades of internal testing and independent studies support their safety. The company has stated that it plans to appeal the Maryland verdict, arguing that the decision conflicts with scientific evidence and prior court rulings. Legal experts note that while large jury awards frequently draw national

attention, they are often reduced or overturned during post-trial motions or on appeal, particularly when punitive damages are involved. Despite the company’s defense, the Maryland verdict adds to mounting legal pressure from thousands of similar lawsuits filed across the United States. Plaintiffs in these cases allege that talc mined for consumer products was contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen, and that manufacturers either knew or should have known about the risks. Johnson & Johnson

stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the United States in 2020 and transitioned away from talc globally in 2023, replacing it with cornstarch-based alternatives, though the company has repeatedly stated that the move was driven by commercial considerations rather than safety concerns. The broader litigation landscape remains unsettled. Courts across the country have delivered mixed outcomes, with some juries siding with plaintiffs and awarding large damages, while others have ruled in favor of the company. Johnson & Johnson has

Johnson Links 2026 Midterms to the Prospect of Another Trump Impeachment By Ellen Ward House Speaker Mike Johnson has escalated the political stakes surrounding the 2026 midterm elections by warning that a loss of the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives could open the door to impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. The remarks, delivered during a high-profile conservative gathering, reflect growing concern within Republican leadership about the fragility of their narrow control of the House and the broader implications of a shift in power. Johnson framed the upcoming midterms as a referendum not only on congressional leadership but on the stability of the Trump presidency itself. Under the U.S. Constitution, the House alone has the authority to initiate articles of impeachment, making control of the chamber decisive in determining whether such proceedings can move forward. Johnson argued that a Democratic majority would likely use that authority aggressively, reviving impeachment as a central tool of political confrontation. The warning draws on recent history. Trump is the only U.S. president to have been impeached twice, once in 2019 and again in 2021, though the Senate did not reach the two-thirds threshold required for conviction or

removal in either case. Those earlier episodes have left impeachment as a familiar and polarizing feature of modern American politics, one that continues to shape campaign messaging on both sides of the aisle. Republicans currently hold the House by a slim margin, a reality that has heightened internal tensions and magnified the political impact of retirements, special elections, and intraparty disputes. Legislative gridlock, leadership challenges, and high-profile defections on key votes have underscored how quickly control of the chamber could change. Against that backdrop, Johnson’s comments serve as both a warning and a mobilization effort aimed at energizing conservative voters ahead of the midterms. Democrats, for their part, have not an-

nounced any formal plans to pursue impeachment if they regain the House. Party leaders have instead emphasized oversight, investigations, and legislative priorities, though many acknowledge that impeachment remains a constitutional option if circumstances warrant. Even so, any impeachment approved by the House would still face the significant hurdle of a Senate trial, where conviction would require broad bipartisan support that has proven elusive in the past. Political analysts view Johnson’s statement as part of a broader campaign strategy rather than an indication of imminent action. By tying electoral outcomes directly to the fate of the presidency, Republican leaders are seeking to frame the midterms as a highstakes contest with national consequences, rather than the traditionally localized races that often define off-year elections. The episode highlights how impeachment has become woven into the fabric of contemporary political discourse, functioning as both a constitutional mechanism and a powerful symbol in partisan battles. As the 2026 elections approach, control of the House is likely to remain a central focus, not only for its legislative implications but for its potential to reshape the balance of power between Congress and the White House.

attempted multiple times to resolve the litigation through large-scale settlement strategies, including efforts to channel claims into a subsidiary bankruptcy, approaches that have faced resistance from courts and claimants. In recent months, additional jury verdicts in other states have reinforced the perception that talc litigation remains a significant legal and financial risk for the company. Legal analysts say the Maryland decision is particularly notable because of its size and because it involves a single plaintiff rather than a group action, increasing its symbolic impact even as appeals proceed. The case also highlights the ongoing scientific and regulatory debate surrounding talc and asbestos contamination. While some studies and expert testimony presented in court have linked contaminated talc to certain cancers, other research has not established a definitive causal relationship, leaving juries to weigh competing interpretations of complex evidence. As appeals move forward, the Maryland verdict is likely to influence settlement discussions, trial strategies, and investor scrutiny nationwide. Regardless of its final outcome, the decision underscores that talc-related litigation remains an unresolved and consequential chapter in the legal history of one of the world’s largest healthcare companies.

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OREGON

Yamhill County Law Enforcement Clarifies Role During Federal Immigration Operations By Ellen Ward A coalition of Yamhill County law enforcement agencies has issued a unified public statement aimed at addressing growing community concern surrounding recent federal immigration enforcement activity and its impact on local policing, emergency response, and public safety. In the joint statement, county and city law enforcement leaders emphasized that their agencies remain governed solely by Oregon law and are firmly committed to impartial enforcement of state statutes. Officials made clear that recent federal immigration operations have not altered how local agencies respond to emergency calls or life safety situations. According to the statement, responses to 911 calls continue to be based on the totality of circumstances and the information available at the time, with the protection of life and public safety remaining the highest priority. Local agencies reiterated that Oregon law strictly prohibits state and local law enforcement from using personnel, equipment, funds, or databases to enforce federal immigration law. As a result, if officers or deputies become aware that a 911 call or incident is connected to a federal immigration enforcement operation, they are legally barred from participating in or interfering with that activity. The statement explained that once federal immigration involvement is confirmed, local officers will take no fur-

ther action to assist or intervene. The release also addressed questions about training and authority. Local law enforcement officers in Oregon do not receive training on the federal criminal code or on the scope and limitations of federal agents’ authority. The statement warned that an Oregon peace officer who attempts to interfere with a federal agent lawfully enforcing federal law could face criminal charges for interference, reinforcing the strict legal separation between state and federal roles. While distancing themselves from immigration enforcement, Yamhill County

agencies noted that they do collaborate with federal law enforcement on non-immigration matters. These include threats to schools, religious institutions, or community events, drug investigations, child exploitation cases, bank robberies, explosives or firearms offenses, and large-scale fraud investigations that cross jurisdictional or state boundaries. The statement also acknowledged public concerns regarding the conduct, use of force, and arrest tactics employed by federal agents. It referenced a letter dated November 24, 2025, from Oregon Attorney

Disproven Claims surrounding Chris Barnett recall effort

From page 1

tral role in amplifying the contested narrative. Despite being provided with the county’s own documents, the committee has continued to assert the $1.5 million annual savings figure. Critics argue that this persistence transforms what might have begun as political spin into something more serious, the knowing dissemination of false information in an electoral context. This pattern is not new. Meredith and others point to last year’s recall of former commissioner John West, during which similar issues arose. In that case, statements made by West and party allies were later shown to be inaccurate, prompting near legal action. Meredith was among the leaders of that recall effort and says the repetition of the same behavior suggests a systemic problem rather than an isolated lapse. Compounding the concern is the timeline. The cost analysis at issue was reportedly prepared during the budget process months before the recall was launched. Meredith has stated that one or more commissioners reviewed the analysis at that time, meaning that the discrepancy between the public narrative and the internal financial reality may have been known before the recall campaign materials were ever produced. While Meredith has said he does not yet possess documentary proof of that knowledge, he maintains the

information came from a reliable source. The legal implications are difficult to ignore. Oregon election law places clear limits on false statements made in connection with elections, including recall elections. Publishing claims that are demonstrably contradicted by public records, after being warned and provided with those records, raises the stakes significantly. It also places the county and its residents in a familiar and costly position, one where lawsuits become the default mechanism for resolving what should have been settled by facts. Beyond the legal exposure lies a deeper civic cost. Public trust erodes when official records are treated as optional and inconvenient truths are dismissed. Residents watching the recall debate are left to navigate conflicting claims, some grounded in verified documents and others repeated through sheer persistence. For a county that has already endured years of political turmoil, recalls, and litigation, the continuation of this pattern feels less like political disagreement and more like institutional fatigue. There is also a broader concern about governance. Personnel decisions, budget impacts, and public safety staffing are not abstract talking points. They affect road maintenance, facilities operations, emergency response, and the daily functioning of county government.

When financial claims are exaggerated or misrepresented, voters are denied the ability to make informed decisions about their leadership and the direction of their community. At multiple points, opportunities existed to correct the record. The documents were provided. The explanations were offered. The risks were spelled out. Yet the disputed claims remain publicly accessible, unchanged, and still promoted. To critics, that choice signals that accuracy has become secondary to political defense. As the recall process continues, Josephine County once again finds itself bracing for the possibility that accountability will not come through dialogue or transparency, but through the courts. For many residents, that prospect is not just frustrating but exhausting. Lawsuits consume time, public resources, and attention that could otherwise be devoted to governing. In the end, the question facing Josephine County is not merely whether a recall succeeds or fails. It is whether factual records still matter in local politics, and whether leaders and their supporters are willing to correct the record when it becomes clear they are wrong. If the answer continues to be no, the consequences will extend far beyond one commissioner, reinforcing a cycle of mistrust, litigation, and division that the county can ill afford to repeat.

General Dan Rayfield to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, stating that the Oregon Attorney General intends to investigate cases “where it appears a federal officer is engaging in conduct beyond the reasonable scope of their duties in executing and enforcing federal law.” In addition, the Oregon Department of Justice confirmed on December 18, 2025, that individuals may report negative interactions with federal agents through the DOJ’s Federal Accountability and Oversight portal. Local law enforcement leaders included this information to ensure residents are aware of avenues for oversight and accountability beyond local agencies. The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and service to the community. Law enforcement leaders stressed that their agencies remain dedicated to investigating and enforcing violations of Oregon law while treating all individuals with respect and fairness, and to protecting and serving the residents of Yamhill County during a period of heightened public concern and uncertainty. The joint statement was signed by leadership from the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in McMinnville, Newberg-Dundee, Yamhill, and Carlton, reflecting a coordinated countywide position on the issue.

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LOCAL POLITICS

Creepy on Redwood Highway:

When an Elected Official Crosses the Line From Public Servant to Personal Problem By John Oliver I have spent nearly two years dealing with Josephine County Commissioner Chris Barnett in courtrooms, through filings, motions, and legal maneuvering that have tied up my life, my finances, and my time. Lawsuits have a way of bleeding into every corner of existence, and when you are the publisher and owner of a local newspaper, those disputes are never just abstract legal arguments. They are personal, they are constant, and they linger. What happened on December 22, 2025, on Redwood Highway felt like yet another chapter in that ongoing ordeal, only this time it spilled out of paperwork and into real world danger. At approximately 3:45 p.m., I was driving northeast toward Grants Pass, merging onto Redwood Highway like any other resident trying to get from point A to point B. I was not attending a public event. I was not filming anyone. I was not provoking anything. I was simply driving running some personal errands enjoying the little sun we had this week. What followed did not feel random. It felt targeted. A vehicle behind me began driving erratically, swerving and accelerating in what appeared to be an attempt to close the distance. It then rode my bumper far too closely for comfort, almost like a police vehicle attempting to intimidate at highway speeds, before pulling alongside my driver’s door, matching my speed exactly and creeping even closer. Anyone who has driven knows that moment when instinct takes over,

when something feels wrong and your attention sharpens because safety suddenly feels uncertain. That moment lasted far too long. When I finally looked over, I saw Commissioner Barnett holding a mobile device pointed directly at me, clearly recording video while driving. He appeared to be yelling, cursing, and making an obscene gesture towards me. I did not engage beyond a brief reaction of slowly extending my own middle finger and focused on getting away from the situation. The problem was that he did not disengage. He stayed alongside me, still filming, still pacing, still focused on me instead of the road. This is where the issue goes beyond a traffic violation and into something more unsettling. I am not famous. He is not paparazzi. I am the publisher and owner of the Grants Pass Tribune, and that context matters. Given our history, given

the lawsuits, given his repeated refusal to tell the truth in public and legal settings, this did not feel like a coincidence. It felt like intimidation. It felt like stalking. People do not like being videotaped while they are driving, and most people would find that deeply unnerving. When the person doing the filming is an elected official with a personal history of conflict, it becomes creepy in a way that is impossible to dismiss. This was not about safety awareness or documentation. It was about fixation. The behavior was prolonged, deliberate, and directed at one individual. Perhaps Mr. Barnett’s apparent obsession with me and my vehicle is something better addressed in a therapist’s office, because it clearly crosses the line into unhealthy fixation. Oregon law is clear about distracted driving, and it exists for good reason. Recording video

while operating a vehicle is dangerous. Careless and aggressive driving endangers everyone on the road, not just the intended target. When a county commissioner ignores those laws, it raises serious questions about judgment. When that same commissioner does so while focusing on someone he has been legally entangled with for years, it raises questions about motive and mental fitness for office. I made a last moment turn at the Allen Creek Road light to separate from him and end the encounter. No one should have to take evasive action simply to escape an elected official’s attention. No one should feel fear because a public servant decides to act like a jealous teenager with a camera. Maybe he liked my car. Maybe it was ego. Maybe it was something else entirely. Whatever the reason, the behavior was inappropriate, unsafe, and deeply unsettling. This is just one incident of several that are now being handled through formal channels, with documentation, law enforcement involvement, and legal remedies focused on safety and accountability. That is where it belongs. But the broader issue remains. Public officials are expected to behave like adults, especially when they are behind the wheel. When they do not, when their actions feel creepy and stalker-like, the public has every right to know. This is not about politics. It is about conduct. It is about boundaries. And it is about drawing a firm line between public service and personal obsession, before someone gets hurt.

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Stand with us in defending freedom of the press and the 1st Amendment! The Grants Pass Tribune is facing political persecution, with lawsuits aimed at silencing our bold investigative journalism. We remain committed to uncovering the truth and keeping our community informed like never before. Show your support for independent journalism and the fight against political tyranny. Place your ad with us and align your business with the values of free speech and transparency.

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COMMUNITY Mount Bachelor Opens for the Season Just in Time for Christmas Cheer By John Oliver Winter may have arrived late across much of Oregon, but as of December 23, Mount Bachelor is officially open, delivering a holiday-season win for skiers, snowboarders, and Central Oregon businesses alike. With Christmas Eve now here and lifts already turning, the mountain has transformed anticipation into action, offering a rare early-season opportunity while several other Oregon ski areas remain on standby due to limited snowfall. December has tested the patience of winter recreation fans statewide. Cold air teased the arrival of snow only to be followed by rain and mild stretches that left many slopes quiet well into the month. In that uneven landscape, Mount Bachelor Ski Resort managed to capitalize on recent high-elevation snowfall, building a sufficient base to safely begin operations and welcome guests just as the holiday break gets underway. The opening is measured rather than flashy, reflecting a season shaped by caution and weather variability. Initial terrain and lift offerings are coming online gradually, with additional access expected as conditions improve. This slower, more deliberate start has become increasingly familiar in recent winters, where consistency matters more than speed and flexibility is essential. Still, the timing could hardly be better. Christmas week traditionally marks one of the busiest stretches of the winter calendar, when families travel, vacation plans peak, and the

GRANTS PASS WEATHER 5 DAY OUTLOOK SOURCE: WEATHER.COM

WEDNESDAY Partly cloudy 50/39

THURSDAY desire to spend time outdoors rises sharply. With Mount Bachelor now open, visitors have a reason to head for the Cascades, skis and boards in tow, adding momentum to a regional economy that relies heavily on winter tourism. Lodging fills more quickly, restaurants see a holiday surge, and the broader Central Oregon community benefits from renewed seasonal activity. Elsewhere in the state, several ski resorts continue to wait. Thin snowpack, warmer-than-average temperatures, and inconsistent storms have delayed openings at lower elevations, underscoring how uneven this winter has been. The contrast highlights the role of elevation and geography, factors that have given Mount Bachelor a narrow but meaningful advantage as December draws to a close. Rising above 9,000 feet with expansive alpine terrain, the mountain is well positioned to capture colder air and early snow when condi-

tions align. Even so, this opening is less about outperforming other resorts and more about seizing a window of opportunity. It marks the starting line for a season that many hope will deepen and stabilize as winter settles in more fully. For those spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Central Oregon, the sound of chairlifts humming and the sight of fresh tracks against snowy slopes add a festive note to the holiday. After weeks of waiting, winter recreation has officially returned to at least one corner of Oregon. As the rest of the state watches forecasts and waits for more reliable snow, Mount Bachelor now stands open and active, offering a reminder that winter, even when delayed, still has a way of showing up at just the right moment. What better way to spend Christmas than on the mountain, with snow under foot and the season finally underway.

Cloudy 50/38

FRIDAY Rain 45/36

SATURDAY Partly cloudy 44/29

SUNDAY Partly cloudy 46/31

Letter from the Editor:

Christmas Eve in Josephine County Christmas Eve has arrived in Josephine County, and with it comes that familiar pause in the middle of winter, a moment when the pace of life softens, lights glow a little warmer, and the focus shifts from deadlines and obligations to the people and places that matter most. Tonight is about slowing down, staying warm, and appreciating the quiet magic that settles in just before Christmas morning. This evening carries its own kind of anticipation. For some, it is the hum of last-minute preparations, a pot simmering on the stove, or the careful wrapping of a gift tucked away just in time. For others, it is a drive across town or across the county to gather with family, friends, neighbors, or chosen family who feel just as close. However you spend it, Christmas Eve is a reminder that connection is the true centerpiece of the season. As temperatures drop and the nights grow longer, we encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of one another. Check in on elderly neighbors, make sure pets are warm and secure, and give yourself a little extra time if you are traveling on local roads. Winter in Southern Oregon can be unpredictable, but kindness and patience go a long way in keeping everyone safe. This is also a night meant for comfort and joy. Share a meal, tell stories, laugh, and enjoy the small traditions that make this

evening special. Maybe it is a familiar movie playing in the background, a walk through a neighborhood lit up with Christmas lights, or the sound of children trying their best to fall asleep early. And yes, perhaps tonight is the night to bend the rules just a little and open one gift, a small preview of the joy waiting for Christmas morning. For those who are spending this Christmas Eve quietly or alone, know that you are not forgotten. Josephine County is a community built on resilience, compassion, and looking out for one another, especially during the holidays. Whether you are working tonight, serving others, or simply finding peace in a quiet moment, your place in this community matters. As we look ahead to tomorrow, let this evening be about gratitude. Gratitude for warmth and shelter, for friendship and family, for moments of laughter and reflection, and for the simple fact that we made it here together. Christmas Eve is not about perfection, it is about presence, being where your feet are and sharing the moment with those around you. From all of us here, we wish the residents of Josephine County a warm, safe, and joyful Christmas Eve. May your homes be filled with light, your hearts with peace, and your night with comfort and anticipation. Enjoy the time

with the people you love, stay safe, and we will see you tomorrow as Christmas morning arrives. Merry Christmas Eve, Josephine County.

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THE BCC WEEKLY The BCC Weekly - Taking the “Blind” out of the BCC

The Christmas Gift of Turning the Tables By: Jay Meredith, CPA Investigative Journalist In the last two weeks Josephine County Commissioner Ron Smith has delivered a valuable Christmas gift to many of the people of Josephine County. That is, Commissioner Smith has finally stood up to what many see as corruption (abuse of power) in the County BCC Office. As previously reported, Commissioner Blech and Barnett, each facing a recall petition with enough validated signatures to force a special recall election, took different paths once signatures were verified. Blech chose to resign, while Barnett has chosen to face a recall election. But before turning in his official resignation, former Commissioner Blech (also the designated BCC Chair this year) tried to arrange a meeting where he and the other two commissioners would select who to appoint to fill Blech’s upcoming vacancy. This was an improper (illegal) process in a variety of ways, and advertising for the Commissioner vacancy as required by the County Charter was submitted before a vacancy even existed. It gave applicants only about a half of a business day plus a weekend to submit applications by 9am Monday morning, and then Monday the commissioners would both interview and select Blech’s replacement. The process was flawed all around, and state constitutional language also made Blech’s last day effective the Friday before, making him ineligible to participate in his replacement process as he intended since Blech attempted to resign effective the end of the day on the following Monday so he could help pick his own replacement. Most would say it’s common sense that a fired or resigned employee does not get to pick their replacement, even if they are the Chair of the BCC. Not to be deterred from his apparent agenda, BCC Vice Chair Chris Barnett moved forward the next week with almost the same deficient recruitment, interview, and selection timeline without even checking with Commissioner Ron Smith on the process or timeline. Barnett declared himself Chair of the BCC (without a vote of the Commissioners) and moved forward with the process as he saw fit. Commissioner Ron Smith saw this for the sham that it is and refused to participate for a variety of reasons after getting advice from County legal counsel. Commissioner Smith made some of his reasons public in a public statement and kept some of his reasons private as noted in his public statement. Newly self-appointed BCC Chair Chris Barnett started throwing what in my opinion looks like a political tantrum and scheduled a meeting each and every regular business day this week and most days last week to interview and appoint a commissioner to fill the vacant seat. Commissioner Ron Smith wasn’t having it, as he had already announced he was recusing himself from this decision for a variety of reasons. Commissioner Smith has shown up to every meeting where a commissioner appointment was not on the agenda but refused to show up for Barnett’s daily “dog

and pony show” as Commissioner Smith phrased it. There is a County Charter clause that moves the Commissioner vacancy appointment process to a temporary board of all the County’s other administrative elected officials, six other elected officials in total. Commissioner Smith wisely denied quorum so that this decision would go to this temporary board for the appointment decision after 30 days. Many voters in Josephine County saw this as a wise move and the equivalent of a valuable Christmas gift. After all, Commissioner Chris Barnett is facing an internal investigation for several citizen complaints, a BOLI complaint for age discrimination from a County Public Works employee, a recall vote coming up on January 6th, and even an Oregon DOJ criminal investigation which the allegations have not been made public until this week and details have not been fully made public. Many voters out there feel like with just two weeks left until the recall vote and all these other pending complaints, Commissioner Barnett should defer to the County’s other elected officials to make the next Commissioner appointment decision until at least the public has their say in the recall vote. This is like when an employee is facing complaints of improper behavior, like Michael Sellers, a County Director who has been on administrative leave for several weeks while facing an Oregon DOJ investigation. The employee is put on leave temporarily until the investigation is complete, or in this case until voters weigh in. BCC Vice Chair Barnett, filling the role of chair because he never scheduled a vote on who was to be chair when Commissioner Blech resigned, started using his

daily scheduled meetings as informational sessions to grill County legal staff. Barnett tried to make county legal counsel say that Commissioner Smith’s recusal and Smith’s refusal to attend Commissioner appointment meetings were illegal, but legal staff said otherwise. Then Commissioner Barnett repeatedly stated he’s doing everything in his power to meet the County Charter requirement to appoint a commissioner to fill the vacancy within 30 days as the Charter states. Barnett and a few of Barnett’s political allies blasted Commissioner Ron Smith for not doing his “duty” according to the County Charter. Commissioner Barnett’s seemingly new affinity for the County Charter is interesting, given he and Blech have allegedly violated the Charter in many other ways throughout 2025. Commissioner Smith even pointed out one of those violations in his last full administrative workshop meeting that he attended on December 16th. The Charter states BCC is supposed to hold Weekly Business Sessions of the Board, commonly referred to as WBS meetings. Quite a few WBS meetings were cancelled throughout 2025, and the temporary chair Chris Barnett hasn’t held a WBS meeting since he became temporary chair two weeks ago. No WBS meeting has been scheduled for this week or next week. The County Charter also requires the County to support the maintenance of the Library Branches, a controversy that erupted throughout 2025 but was finally settled a few months ago with the signing of a new lease for the Grants Pass Library Branch. The new lease was acceptable to both parties but still ignores this Charter provision. Some Commissioners like recalled

Commissioner John West and resigned Commissioner Andreas Blech feel like this Charter provision is no longer valid. Except the Library system still serves the entire County, whether through being included in the Library District or getting a Library Card for anyone that lives in the County outside district boundaries. The arguments that this Charter provision no longer applies are weak in my opinion, but this issue has not been fully litigated. And as just one more example, Section 17.5 of the County Charter, subsection 5, states as follows: “DEPARTMENT HEAD: Any exempt personnel selected and appointed by the Board, after a process of public announcement of such job opening, including a review of all applicants. The final choice in filling such a position (or in the case of review of existing exempt personnel, to determine whether to retain or dismiss the personnel involved) shall be decided by a majority vote of the Board. The newly selected applicant shall act as head of that specifically defined department of County government, subject to the authority and control, including the power of dismissal, of the Board. In the case of review of existing exempt personnel, the Board shall determine the appropriate action to be taken by majority vote.” If you’ve followed the actions of the Josephine County BCC closely throughout 2025, you’ll know that there were many Department Head firings and attempted hirings that took place in 2025 without a vote of the full Board. There was the firing of the Public Works Director, firing of the Community Development Director, firing of the Public Health Director, attempted hiring of Michael Sellers as the Director of Operations with a total compensation package of $388,000 per year, the attempted promotion of Michael Sellers to Chief of Staff of the BCC Office later in the year, the combining of Juvenile Justice and Adult Corrections all under one Department Head as opposed to each department having its own department head, all of which was done without a vote of the full Board of County Commissioners in 2025. Not only was the full Board not involved as required in many Department Head decisions this year, but many of the reasons for these actions have still not been disclosed to the public. However, it should also be noted that this specific Charter provision also may not have been litigated yet. Litigated or not, there are various other laws or administrative rules that typically require the full BCC to vote on major decisions such as these. So, thanks Commissioner Ron Smith for pushing back at the corruption and cronyism now that Commissioner Andreas Blech is no longer in control of the BCC. Many of us see your “Turning the Tables” as a valuable Christmas gift to the voters of Josephine County. If we collectively don’t get back to following the Charter and all laws and administrative policies that apply to Josephine County, the chaos and controversies seen throughout 2025 are likely to continue.