William Kronert, Author at A Voice Within

Current Status HB 3115 Repeal – Ballot Initiative 2026-054

I know many people are very interested in this initiative: As of late January 2026, Oregon Initiative Petition 2026-054, officially known as the "Local Control & Safety Act," has just cleared a major procedural hurdle. The most recent update occurred on January 22, 2026, when the Oregon Elections Division received the certified ballot title from the Attorney General. This move allows the initiative to move closer to the signature-gathering phase for the November 3, 2026,…

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January 28, 2026

City Politics / County Politics / Local News / Local Politics / State Politics

Why Majority Rule, Not Universal Consensus, Shapes Our Government

I have read and heard some people argue that elected officials should serve the entire community. In theory, this sounds admirable, but in practice it simply is not possible.If one side of the aisle believes that more government is the solution while the other believes that less government is more efficient, where do you meet? If one side believes in saving the spotted owl while the other believes in saving jobs and economic prosperity, where…

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January 20, 2026

Charter / County Politics / Local News

Josephine County Commissioner Vacancy: Appointment vs. Election Terms

Based on the Josephine County Charter, an individual appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of County Commissioners does not serve the remainder of the original four-year term. Instead, they serve only until a successor is elected at the next general election and takes office. The following specific sections of the charter explain this process: 1. Duration of the Appointment Section 24(1) explicitly defines the duration of the appointment. It states that when a…

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January 14, 2026

County Politics / Local News / Local Politics

Clean Forest Program – Josephine County

I came across a comment by Konnor Kirkpatrick in Facebook that caught my attention regarding the Clean Forest Project. I have often wondered why our beautiful forest areas in our region keep deteriorating and perhaps this might explain part of it. Maybe Kirkpatrick can add his thoughts to this and correct any misinformation I might have written. Program Origins Clean Forest Project (nonprofit) Started: mid-2000s Purpose: Volunteer-led cleanup of illegal dumping and trash on public…

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January 11, 2026

City Politics / County Politics / Local News / Local Politics

The Year of the Storm: A County in Chaos Politically

In Josephine County the past twelve months have felt less like a standard election cycle and more like a political thriller. Driven by a wave of endorsements from the local party establishment, a new slate of leaders took office with promises of reform. Instead, the community has watched a cascading series of resignations, investigations, and legal challenges that have left the local government in a state of unprecedented flux. There was one political party responsible…

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January 8, 2026

Local News / Local Politics / State Politics

In Oregon: Some serious election initiatives to be aware of in the upcoming months

In Oregon, there is a movement for open primaries that is currently driven by a new 2026 ballot campaign called the Voters Fairness Act. This follows a failed attempt to get a similar measure on the 2024 ballot and the recent defeat of Measure 117 (Ranked-Choice Voting) in November 2024. What Laws Are Being Proposed?The current push consists of two main initiatives targeted for the November 2026 ballot, Initiative 55 and Initiative 56.Initiative 55 (Constitutional…

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January 4, 2026

City Politics / Homeless / Local News / Local Politics / State Politics

Homeless: Repeal HB 3115 with Ballot Initiative 2026-054

A critical ballot initiative is coming that could restore local control in Oregon. HB 3115 forces cities to meet a vague “objectively reasonable” standard before acting, leaving them vulnerable to costly lawsuits and unable to protect their communities.Initiative 2026‑054 puts power back in the hands of voters. In November 2026, Oregonians can repeal HB 3115 and give cities the ability to enforce commonsense policies that protect neighborhoods, public spaces, and public safety. Some background:What Would…

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December 29, 2025

City Politics / County Politics / Local News / Local Politics / Recall

Conservatism Means Accountability

Political parties play an important role in a healthy democracy. They recruit candidates, help them get elected, and advance shared policy goals. But that role carries responsibility. When party loyalty is placed above public trust, ethical standards, or the rule of law, the party risks undermining the very principles it claims to defend. The following points outline where that line should be drawn and where our party has too often missed it.Political parties exist to:•…

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December 28, 2025

County Politics / Local News / Local Politics

County Business on Hold: Josephine County Commission Stalled by Quorum Breakdown

Meeting Adjourned: A Josephine County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Monday, December 15th, at 1:30 p.m., was immediately adjourned at 1:31 p.m. Lack of Quorum: Only Board Chair Chris Barnett was present. Commissioner Ron Smith was absent, and one seat is currently vacant. It is unclear how Chris Barnett was elected as Board Chair. Legal Requirement: Oregon public meetings law requires a quorum of two members of the three-member board to be present to…

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December 16, 2025

County Politics / Local News

When Disagreement Leads to Removal: A Warning Sign in Local Politics and Cults

Recently, I wrote about how political parties can begin to resemble cults, especially when reflecting on our local Josephine County Republican Party. Not long after I posted on the topic, the new social media director of the “new” Josephine County Republican Party did exactly what I was warning about: he removed fifteen people from a Facebook group he created.These weren’t people causing disruptions or violating rules. They were removed simply because he didn’t like them,…

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November 25, 2025