William Kronert, Author at A Voice Within

Support for Background Checks on Newly Approved Homeless Grant Applicants

In light of the newly approved $1.2 million “Addressing Homelessness Grant,” for Grants Pass Councilor Rob Pell’s recommendation to include criminal and financial background checks for key individuals in organizations applying for these funds is a must. These background checks are about accountability and transparency. Background Key points:Pell raised the issue during the council meeting; the City Attorney responded that background checks aren’t typically part of grant processes. Pell cited examples of Oregon cities, counties,…

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June 24, 2025

Local News / Local Politics / media / National Politics / State Politics

How Media Slant’s Stories to Their Preferred Outcomes

Using AI like ChatGPT, I provided a few basic facts and asked it to write a news story based on those facts. Then, I asked it to rewrite the same story, but with a slant that made the criminal appear to be the hero. This exercise clearly demonstrates how easily stories can be framed or “slanted” to fit a desired narrative. It also highlights just how simple it is today to create the appearance of…

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June 23, 2025

City Politics / Homeless / Local News

Bipartisan Concerns and Opposition Emerge Over the Homeless Shelter Proposal

Somewhat of a first in Josephine County, we’re witnessing a bipartisan objection to the current homeless shelter proposal, if I am reading the community correctly. I find this genuinely encouraging. It speaks volumes about the shared concerns from both sides of the political spectrum. Here’s my take based on what I’ve seen so far: Left Viewpoint: Surprisingly, the proposed shelter doesn’t seem to be gaining much traction among those on the left, even though it…

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June 20, 2025

County Politics / Local News / Local Politics

John West Vindicated Amid Bogus Ethics Complaints

As you may have recently read, Commissioner John West has had the final ethics complaint against him officially dismissed. In fact, every single complaint lodged against him has been thrown out. This overwhelming pattern makes one thing abundantly clear: we did not witness legitimate concerns, we witnessed a campaign to discredit him by those hoping that if they throw enough mud, something might stick. From the outset, it was evident that these complaints were more…

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June 19, 2025

County Politics / Local News / Local Politics

The Reality About Voter Turnout in Josephine County

I put together some numbers to illustrate a point. Some time ago, a few people argued that the Republican voter block in Josephine County was too small compared to the NAV (non-affiliated voter) block, claiming that Republicans were essentially doomed to lose here because of the large NAV presence. That never made any sense to me and it still doesn’t. The numbers tell us a story of reality, that while NAV voters may “slightly outnumber…

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June 18, 2025

Nature/Wildlife

Discover Birds with the Merlin Bird App

A quick shout-out to all bird lovers: make sure to download the Merlin Bird ID App! This incredible tool lets you identify birds by their songs or by uploading a photo. It's user-friendly, packed with helpful information, and perfect for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers. Some of the birds we've spotted right in our own backyard here in Josephine County, Oregon, include the Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch. The app helped us learn…

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June 15, 2025

City Politics / Homeless / Lawsuit / Local News

The Community Deserves the Truth About the Homeless Lawsuit

The community deserves to know the truth about how, why, and when the current homeless lawsuit began. This lawsuit originated under the previous administration, and regardless of what anyone claims, it would have happened no matter who was elected. There are documented records dating back to that administration, including correspondence from Disability Rights Oregon (DRO), as well as news coverage detailing the issue. When the prior administration established these camps, they were warned about potential…

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June 14, 2025

Local News / State Politics / Wildfire Map

Urgent Action Needed: SB 83 Wildfire Map Repeal at Risk

The Wildfire Map Repeal Bill, SB 83, is currently being held up in the legislature. With only about two weeks remaining before adjournment, time is running out. If SB 83 is not allowed a vote or is voted down, the opportunity to repeal the wildfire map legislation will be lost.We urge you to contact the Rules Committee immediately and ask them to allow a vote to move SB 83 forward. Your voice can make a…

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June 11, 2025

City Politics / Homeless / Local News / Local Politics

Vine Street Property Lease Secured Amidst Community Outcry: Questions Arise Over Funding and Public Input

At last night's Grants Pass City forum, if my understanding is correct, Jeromy from U-Turn for Christ announced they have secured the lease for the Vine Street property. This comes despite significant community concerns regarding the project's size, scope, and location. The 7.8-acre property is large enough to potentially house a "homeless industrial complex" for years, accommodating an estimated 500-600 people. The community has repeatedly expressed concerns about the proximity of schools and senior citizen…

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June 10, 2025

Charter / County Politics / Local News / Local Politics

Key Differences in The New Proposed Josephine County Charter

There are a couple of key differences in the newly proposed Josephine County Charter. First, the county would no longer be designated as an "agent of the state," but rather as a "body politic." This change would allow the county greater autonomy and freedom/flexibility in how it governs itself. Second, it would require candidates to file by political party, but it does not mandate a partisan-style election, as all voters would still be able to…

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June 9, 2025