Contributor: Candy Kaiser
Jay, your response is perplexing, to say the least. It reads as though the root of this recall stems not from substantive governance issues but from personal grievances. You suggest that this entire recall could have been avoided if John West had treated you differently or responded to you. However, public office is not about personal validation; it’s about serving the community.
On the Recall Petition and Accusations:
Every single accusation made in the recall petition has been addressed. The focus should be on the accuracy of the claims against West, not on individuals involved in the process or their personal histories. Instead of addressing rebuttals to the petition’s claims, your response pivots to recount your personal journey and experiences.
You claim local Republican leadership has played “dirty politics” by endorsing candidates other than yourself and by allegedly spreading false statements about you. However, party endorsements are not guarantees—not being chosen doesn’t equate to being wronged. Political endorsements are competitive, and they require alignment with the party’s goals and confidence in a candidate’s ability to represent those values effectively.
On Your Assertions of Credibility:
You mention your time as a writer for the Eagle and your work on federal issues. While commendable, those roles don’t inherently lend credibility to your arguments about local governance. Good governance and public policy require objective analysis and collaboration, not personal grievances.
Your statements suggest that the recall effort is more about dissatisfaction with party dynamics and interpersonal conflicts than about John West’s alleged actions. Recall elections should center on clear violations of public trust or behavior that compromises the integrity of the office—not disagreements over endorsements or personal treatment.
On Offering an “Olive Branch”:
Offering to make amends after launching a costly, divisive recall effort undermines the sincerity of such a gesture. Collaboration and resolution should come before initiating actions that divide the community and strain resources.
Moving Forward:
This isn’t about individuals or party politics—it’s about facts and governance. Personal vendettas have no place in serious discussions about the future of Josephine County. If you believe there is a fact-based flaw in the responses provided by West and his supporters, then please outline them clearly. But if the recall truly stems from personal dissatisfaction, as your comments suggest, it may be time for some reflection.
Elections and recalls are not platforms for settling personal scores. They are about what’s best for the community. Let’s keep the focus where it belongs—on the facts.