Public commenters raise hand‑counting offer, homelessness concerns, battery‑storage opposition and Gaza open‑letter request

During two public comment periods at the Aug. 19 meeting, residents and representatives spoke to several topics: a volunteer proposal to demonstrate hand‑count ballot procedures, local business and homelessness concerns, opposition to a proposed battery storage reclassification, and an open letter urging the county’s congressional delegation to cosponsor federal legislation.

Trish Raby, who identified herself as representing Raby Family Dentistry, described ongoing trash and safety problems near her business and said homeless encampment activity was driving longtime businesses to leave. Raby said she had called non‑emergency police about a confrontational individual and described an incident in which a dog nearly bit a staff member; she urged attention to local Homeless Connect operations and good‑neighbor processes.

Bob Terry and Jill Latray spoke about hand‑counting election methods. Terry described continuity‑of‑operations and emergency scenarios and offered a volunteer‑run hand‑count method the group tested during an unofficial recount of a King City special election. He said the group completed the recount in six hours with eight people and reported no counting errors. Latray read a public statement quoting a recent post by former President Donald Trump calling for an end to mail‑in ballots and voting machines, and she urged county election staff to consider the hand‑counting method and to allow volunteers to demonstrate it.

Dale Feek raised three topics, including hazardous‑materials preparedness and opposition to a proposed reclassification for a 10‑acre battery‑storage facility in an agricultural district. Feek said he and others had submitted comments opposing the reclassification and had copied planning staff and the county planner on the submission.

Charlie Henderson, testifying remotely, read an open letter from Jewish Voice for Peace asking Oregon’s U.S. House delegation to cosponsor H.R. 3565 (the “Block the Bombs Act”) to limit certain weapons transfers to Israel. Henderson said he previously asked the board to support a ceasefire resolution and urged the county to show support by signing local open letters; the board did not take action on the request during the meeting.

No formal board action was taken on any of the public‑comment items. Vice Chair Therese and other commissioners acknowledged the speakers and staff indicated staff would follow up as appropriate on local project engagement and good‑neighbor processes for shelter and capital projects.