Written by: John West Aug. 22, 2024
You put me in office with over 22,000 votes because you wanted someone strong and experienced enough to make changes and not keep the government status quo. My job is to work for and serve your best interests, which is precisely what I have done and will continue to do.
As I cut waste, roll back costly fees, and address government abuse, some people in government are upset. These individuals, along with a conglomeration of political leftist “elites” and the politicians in their pockets, are trying to stop me by initiating a recall. I will NEVER give in to a group of bullies who lie to steal what the voters want. Please join me—let us stand together and keep the citizens in charge.
My office will remain open to everyone. If you have questions, bring them to me. Let’s talk.
Your County Commissioner,
John West
The Recall Petition and False Claims
On Friday, August 2nd, a recall petition was filed against me claiming I:
- Ignored the will of the people
- Took actions that affected the health and safety of the community
- Caused lost revenue, increased costs, or cut valued services haphazardly
- Failed to follow the law
These allegations are unadulterated fabrications—complete lies.
The chief petitioner of this recall is Lily Morgan, Gold Hill’s City Manager. Morgan is a political opportunist who faced my scrutiny when she was a Josephine County Commissioner. She should know that one commissioner can NEVER act alone.
Let’s break down the untruthful allegations one at a time:
1. Pipe Fork and Williams’ Water Supply
Allegation: Bad faith negotiations on the county-owned property known as Pipe Fork and jeopardizing Williams’ water supply.
TRUTH: The environmentalist group negotiating the sale of Pipe Fork changed the terms, refusing to keep the land open to the public. Now, they want to give it to the BLM, risking clear-cutting or permanent closure to the public. They demanded YOUR taxpayer land at a discounted price of $430,000 below market value.
FACT: According to the State Water Master, Pipe Fork Creek is NOT Williams’ domestic water source.
2. OSU Extension, 4-H, and Public Health Funding
Allegation: Ignoring the will of voters by eliminating funding for OSU Extension, 4-H, law enforcement, and public health.
TRUTH: The Board of Commissioners oversees the 4-H taxing district. OSU Extension and 4-H refused to provide full budget transparency for how they were spending taxpayers’ money, which totaled $1.2 million.
FACT: Taxpayer money belongs to YOU. As commissioners, it is our job to prevent waste, abuse, and fraud. I held OSU accountable for misusing your funds, and the Youth and Ag program is now better than ever!
TRUTH: I was the ONLY commissioner who voted against cutting the Sheriff’s request for ten deputies and cutting the Community Health budget (Budget Hearing available online).
3. Violating State Laws and Labor Regulations
Allegation: A pattern of breaking state laws and labor law violations.
TRUTH: I have NOT violated a single regulation or law. A small group filed roughly 13 ethics charges, and 11 have already been dismissed. The remaining two are under review.
4. Library District Withdrawal
Allegation: Unlawfully approved library district withdrawal.
TRUTH: State law allows citizens to apply to withdraw from the library district. Because improper forms were used, we froze the process until proper forms were in place. The library never had to spend a dime, and the complaint was dropped once proper forms were established.
5. Threatening Community Safety
Allegation: A pattern of threatening community safety.
TRUTH: I voted to extend the Firewise Program due to state budget cuts.
FACT: I have never cut emergency management programs. Oregon Department of Forestry provides wildland fire protection. The commissioners unanimously voted 3-0 not to make citizens pay TWICE for the same coverage.
6. Hiring Unqualified Political Allies
Allegation: Hiring unqualified political allies for county and contractor positions.
TRUTH: All county employees are hired based on the highest qualifications and experience per the job description and program needs. Contractors are selected for their skills and proven expertise.
FACT: One contractor received $1,600 per month for two months, securing $150,000 in grant funding for the broadband program—the highest award of any county in the state.
A Message for Lily Morgan and the Petitioners
Matthew 18:15 says: “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and tell them their fault, between you and them alone. If they listen to you, you have gained your brother.”
Lily Morgan and the petitioners never attempted to discuss their concerns with me. I have always been—and will remain—available to anyone genuinely interested in resolving differences.
Closing Statement
I am, first and foremost, a public servant. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and state and local laws. More importantly, I promised to be a good steward of your hard-earned tax money, and I have lived up to that promise.
There are those, like the recall petitioners, who believe they know better than the citizens. But I work for YOU, the voters. Let’s stand together against this baseless recall.