Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners made quick work of a light agenda during its weekly business session this morning.

Following a public hearing, the Board voted 2-0 to approve the annexation of a 5.33-acre property on Cloverlawn Drive into the Josephine Community Library District. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger was absent.

During the hearing, the Grants Pass couple who attempted to opt out of the library district spoke against all past, present and future annexations. Mike and Winnie Pelfrey also hinted that they are still trying to find a way to get out of the district.

During the public comment period, Mike Pelfrey urged residents to vote "no" on all statewide and local ballot measures while voting "yes" for all candidates who are conservative members of the Republican party.

Other citizen comments included Commissioner Baertschiger's apparent conflict of interest as chairman of the Fort Vannoy Irrigation District, opposition to the newly configured Pipe Fork land sale near Williams, concerns about the sale of county-owned timber properties without proper mineral assessments, opposition to Ballot Measure 118, concern over "obscene" books in local school districts, questions about the county policy on weapons in public buildings and encouragement to register to vote before next week's deadline.