Issuu

FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2025

GRANTSPASSTRIBUNE.COM | $0.00

$3 Million for Airport Sparks Controversy as Commissioners Prepare Quiet Vote Runway Loan Proposal Raises Eyebrows, Public Urged to Attend Thursday Meeting By John Oliver The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is poised to approve a controversial $3 million interfund loan from the county’s General Fund—an interest-free transfer set to fund a runway expansion project that has drawn sharp criticism from residents and watchdogs alike. Introduced quietly as Resolution No. 2025033, the proposal has bypassed any meaningful public dialogue, leading many to believe it’s less about public infrastructure and more about Commissioner Andreas Blech cementing his pet project before he potentially faces a recall from office. At issue is not only the size of the loan but the timing, the priorities, and the complete absence of transparency. The resolution—buried deep in this Thursday’s Weekly Business Session packet—calls for transferring up to $3 million from Fund 10 (General Fund) to Fund 53 (Airport Fund) to finance the capital outlay necessary for the runway project. It states that the money will be repaid by the end of fiscal

year 2026-27, but provides no clear plan on how or from where that repayment will come. Nor does it mention any community input, feasibility study, or financial impact analysis. Even more unsettling is that the interest rate for this multimillion-dollar loan is set at zero percent, meaning the General Fund—the very same pool used to support public safety, public health, and essential services—will receive nothing in return for lending out the largest discretionary sum currently on the table. The loan resolution is poised to be voted on at the upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 18, at 10:00 AM at the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

And unless citizens show up in force, the measure may slide through without any serious debate. For many residents, this development feels like déjà vu: a familiar pattern of fiscal maneuvering conducted behind closed doors, far removed from the needs and voices of the people. Over the past year, this board has justified repeated layoffs, department head firings, and budget austerity by claiming the county is “bleeding money.” In the face of these supposed financial shortfalls, how is it suddenly feasible to lend out $3 million—especially to an airport project that has not been identified as a top community priority?

Critics of the loan believe the answer lies in Commissioner Andreas Blech, who has long championed the airport expansion. With recall efforts already in discussion against both Blech and fellow Commissioner Chris Barnett, many are calling the move nothing more than a “legacy grab”—a last-minute attempt by Blech to complete his pet project before potentially being removed from office by voters. “This isn’t just about the money,” said one longtime county resident. “It’s about the fact that they keep telling us they’re broke. They’re slashing services, they’re cutting staff, they’re gutting departments—and then they turn around and push through millions for something like this? Where are the public hearings? Where’s the transparency? This feels like a betrayal.” And that sentiment is gaining traction. Residents are pointing out the hypocrisy of claiming poverty while greenlighting an interest-free, multimillion-dollar loan for a non-essential infrastructure project. Others are questioning whether the county has the legal or ethical standing to reallocate funds of this magnitude without first soliciting public input. The resolution does cite Oregon Revised Statute 294.468, which permits interfund loans within local government, but the statute also emphasizes that such loans should be

•

see RUNWAY, page 9

Ceasefire or Face Crushing Sanctions Behind the Curtain Trump’s issues 50-Day Ultimatum to Russia

By John Oliver President Donald Trump has issued a bold ultimatum to the Kremlin: agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine within 50 days or face sweeping economic sanctions, including 100 percent tariffs and secondary penalties on nations continuing to do business with Russia. The announcement, made during a joint appearance with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on July 14, signals a dramatic shift in Trump’s posture toward Russian President Vladimir Putin following months of stalled diplomacy and continued military aggression. The new strategy comes amid escalating pressure on Moscow to end its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year. Under the plan, if Russia fails to secure a peace agreement by early September, the United States will implement tariffs on all Russian goods and impose sanctions on foreign countries and companies that maintain trade relations with the Kremlin. Trump stated unequivocally that the penalties would be “very severe,” emphasizing that he was no longer willing to tolerate what he described as “dou-

ble-dealing” from Putin. In a stark departure from prior aid packages, Trump announced that the U.S. will send advanced defense systems to Ukraine, including Patriot missile batteries and interceptor units. However, he made it clear that this military support will be financed by NATO partners—not American taxpayers. The financial burden of the weapons shipments will be carried by allies including Germany, Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland, who have all pledged logistical and financial backing. Ukraine welcomed the announcement, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that the added weaponry would greatly enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend civilian targets from Russian missile attacks. The Ukrainian government confirmed it

would soon receive additional Patriot systems to help fortify cities against longrange assaults. While some NATO leaders praised the decisive action, others expressed reservations about the 50-day window. Diplomats from several European nations warned that the timeline could allow Russian forces to accelerate offensives in eastern Ukraine—particularly in the Donetsk region—before sanctions take effect. Critics fear that the delay may ultimately benefit Russia militarily, even if it leads to longterm economic consequences. The Russian response was dismissive. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said parts of Trump’s announcement were being reviewed but characterized the demands as unrealistic. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called the ultimatum “unacceptable,” while former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mocked the announcement as “performative.” Despite Moscow’s outward defiance, economic analysts note that Russia’s economy remains fragile under the weight of existing sanctions and that new measures could sharply contract key industries such as energy exports and heavy manufacturing. Back in Washington, Trump’s move has

•

see ULTIMATUM, page 5

Commissioner Chris Barnett’s Trail of Lawsuits and Evasion

By John Oliver Josephine County Commissioner Chris Barnett has spent much of his time in office promoting an image of a principled public servant—one who claims to value transparency, accountability, and support for local residents. But a closer examination of his long legal record reveals a very different story. Beneath the surface of public service lies a pattern of litigation, deflection, and denial—often at the expense of those Barnett claims to represent. While Commissioner Barnett now serves the people of Josephine County, many of his most revealing legal entanglements took

•

see COMMISSIONER, page 3