Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved five annexations to the local library district during its weekly business session this morning.

Prior to a public hearing on the annexations, the Board voted to lift a 60-day moratorium on all annexations and withdrawals pertaining to the Josephine Community Library District. The library district has filed a lawsuit allowing the annexations to move forward, but preventing the Commissioners from approving any more withdrawal petitions. The state has rejected the lone approved petition.

Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger voted in favor of lifting the moratorium, but said he had some reservations because "we are not through with this process." He said Oregon statutes pertaining to special districts are antiquated and need to be revised. Meanwhile, Library Director Kate Lasky welcomed the new annexations.

As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board approved setting a date for a public hearing on fee changes for the Animal Shelter and Recreation Department for Wednesday, January 31st at 9 a.m..

The Commissioners approved a proclamation declaring Sunday, January 21st, to be "Sanctity of Human Life and Respect for Life Day." The proclamation was received by Steve Raycraft of Josephine County Right Life who said there would not be a March for Life in Grants Pass this Sunday. A march will be held in May.

In Requests and Comments from Citizens, the Board heard from Library Director Kate Lasky, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Director Colleen Padilla and five ardent supporters of the pending Pipe Fork timber property sale.