After listening to the recent KAJO interview with Commissioners Chris Barnett and Jim Goodwin, I was struck by what this recall effort really represents. While it has been presented as an attempt to address county government concerns, the facts suggest otherwise. Especially since the recall rallying cries started the same day the commissioners were sworn into office.
Mr. Goodwin resigned from his county position, accepted a severance package, and then filed a recall against Commissioners Blech and Barnett. What stands out is that this action came without any real attempt to communicate directly with Commissioner Barnett to resolve differences. In local government, dialogue is the first step toward solutions; bypassing it in favor of an immediate recall sends a troubling message.
Equally important is the question of who is organizing and supporting these recalls. Josephine County has historically been a conservative community, yet the push for recalls has coincided with increased progressive organizing efforts. For example, the recall of former Commissioner West was supported and its signature drive organized by a well-known Democratic activist who also serves as an administrator for the local Indivisible chapter—a progressive group known for protesting Trump through the “No King” rallies. These same individuals are now involved in the current recall effort. Additionally, the address used for this recall committee, Restore Jo Co, is the same one used for the John West recall and is tied to a well-known Democratic donor.
Taken together, these efforts suggest that the recalls are less about specific grievances with county commissioners and more about a broader political objective: shifting Josephine County away from its conservative roots. Rallying cries for recalling the commissioners started on the same day the were sworn into office further illustrating how hard the left is attempting to turn this county blue. Make no mistake, this recall effort is a direct assault on our red conservative county to turn it blue. Citizens should weigh this carefully when considering what the true stakes of these recall campaigns are.
In Summary:
- The recall effort began the very same day the commissioners were sworn in—this was political from the start.
- Jim Goodwin resigned, took a severance package, and then filed a recall without ever attempting real dialogue.
- Local government works through communication, not revenge recalls.
- The organizers behind these recalls are the same progressive activists who led the recall of Commissioner West, which is tied to the progressive group called Indivisible.
- The group “Restore Jo Co” even shares the same address as the West recall effort, which is owned by a Democratic donor – showing it’s the same political machine.
- This isn’t about county governance—it’s about flipping Josephine County from red to blue.
- Citizens should understand: this recall is a direct assault on our conservative county values.
