Residents confront commissioners over reorganization, library cuts and rally misinformation

Dozens of residents addressed the Board of Commissioners during the public-comment portion of the meeting, criticizing recent administrative reorganizations, alleged reductions in county services and what several speakers called false statements about a Saturday rally on April 5.

Eva Voorhis Avery, a Grants Pass resident who said she helped organize the April 5 “hands off” rally, disputed social-media claims that attendees had been paid or bussed in and that the rally impeded emergency services. “I can attest to that these are blatantly false,” she told the board, adding organizers had coordinated with the Grants Pass police and that she had spoken with the police chief after the event.

Several other speakers raised related concerns. Vicki Palmerton said she had lived in Grants Pass most of her life and objected to what she described as commissioners appointing friends to county positions and removing services such as 4-H, master gardeners and portions of the extension office. Libby Watts criticized actions she described as decimating county government and called for commissioners to remember they serve residents. Richard Schneurite said discussion of the library’s future had prompted fears the county could allow library services to close and suggested private donors might instead support a library facility.

Other public commenters addressed the role of religion in civic life, urged residents to visit neighbors, and praised local programs. Several speakers asked for more direct engagement from commissioners and questioned public statements made by an absent commissioner, who was excused from the meeting.

Commissioner Smith responded that the board represents all residents and that the reorganization is intended to “be for the well-being and health of Josephine County moving forward.” Smith also said earlier briefing material had covered some agenda items and reminded attendees that social-media posts and print reports can contain misinformation and urged constituents to verify claims.

Speakers repeated several accusations and concerns during the comment period: that the April 5 rally was mischaracterized, that the county had eliminated or reduced community services, and that appointments had been driven by political patronage. The transcript records no board action or vote in response to the comments; commissioners noted the matters during remarks and moved on to the business agenda.

The public-comment session included a range of views and several callers requesting ADA accommodations while speaking; no formal findings or board directives resulted from the remarks recorded in the session.