A recall election aimed at removing John West from the Josephine County Board of Commissioners has been scheduled for December 17th.
The Josephine County Clerk's Office on Friday confirmed that 6,476 signatures on a petition to recall Commissioner John West had been verified. A total of 7,538 signatures were submitted and 6,445 were necessary to force the recall vote.
By Oregon Statute, West has five days to step down or provide justification for his actions that allegedly led to the recall petition. Reached by the Daily Courier late Friday, West said he has no intention of resigning. He added that he wants the voters to decide whether he should stay in office, not the petitioners.
Josephine County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels has set the date for the recall election to be December 17th. She estimated the election will cost the county around $60,000.
Chief Petitioner Lily Morgan -- a former Commissioner who currently serves as the City Manager for Gold Hill -- said the signature verification marks a crucial step forward in their mission to ensure accountability and transparency in local government. She said it validates the "overwhelming" support from community members who have voiced their concerns over Commissioner West's behavior, which she called "cruel and corrupt."
Jay Meredith -- former Grants Pass Finance Director and Director of the Committee to Recall John West -- said the Board Chair "has cost taxpayers millions of dollars, ignored voters' decisions and broke the law." He said the recall election will give voters the opportunity to decide on whether West should serve on the Board of Commissioners for the remaining two years of his current term.
