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 for this and they must be held accountable for it.
The County Commission: A House Divided
The center of the storm sits at the Board of Commissioners, where a historic recall effort successfully gathered enough signatures to put the fate of two officials on the ballot. The fallout was immediate:
- The Departure: One appointed commissioner, facing the mounting pressure of the recall and public scrutiny, chose to resign their seat effectively immediately.
- The Holdout: The second official, a newly elected commissioner also targeted by the recall, has opted to remain in office, leaving their political future entirely in the hands of the voters in the upcoming special election. The Holdout has now been officially recalled by the voters.
- The Recusal: In a move that stunned observers, a third newly elected commissioner who was not a target of the recall, refused to participate in the process of appointing a replacement for the vacant seat. Citing a desire to distance himself from the controversy, he recused himself from the appointment power entirely. Once again deferring his elected duties to others – like he has done in the past.
Vacancies and Investigations
The instability at the top trickled down through the county infrastructure. The County Treasurer, another fresh face in the administration, abruptly resigned their post just months into the term.
Adding to the tension, a long-term county employee is currently the subject of an active investigation. While details remain limited to protect the integrity of the probe, the cloud of uncertainty has fueled a sense of unease among the rank-and-file staff at the courthouse.
Turbulence at City Hall
The political unrest was not confined to county lines. Within the city limits, the council and the mayor’s office have faced a year of intense legal and ethical challenges:
- Open Meeting Violations: The City Council came under fire after a series of gatherings were found to have broken public meeting laws. These procedural failures have led to demands for greater transparency and questions regarding the validity of recent votes.
- Ethics and Concerns: One specific council member is currently under a formal ethics investigation. This, combined with broader concerns expressed by some residents about decision-making involving the Mayor and several newly elected councilors, has led to heightened public distrust surrounding municipal proceedings.
Looking Ahead
As the community awaits for the results of various investigations, the local political landscape remains fractured. The rapid turnover of elected officials has left many wondering how the county will regain its footing and restore public trust in its institutions. This highlights the concerns the community has with political parties and the direction they are taking.
First, political parties must do better. They need to thoroughly and transparently vet their candidates. Parties owe it to the community to endorse the highest-quality candidates possible by using clear criteria and being open with both their central committee and the public. Proper candidate vetting is one of the biggest issues this community is facing right now.
Second, do not give the community reasons to initiate a recall. The foundation of this recall came from handing over elected authority to a non-elected, appointed commissioner, combined with hostile and improper interactions with the public. Stop giving the left ammunition—it will be used against you.
If you are facing a controversial decision, bring the public on board before acting. You must be able to defend your decisions in a diplomatic manner. You cannot run, hide, or continually turn off public comments. You were elected by the people, and you answer to the people—start acting like it.
