Temporary Board Meets, Applications Opening Friday, Interviews February 18th
The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers met for the first time this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Comprised of Sheriff Dave Daniel, Surveyor Peter Allen, Clerk Rhiannon Henkels, Treasurer Dustin Calvo, Legal Counsel Wally Hicks, and Assessor Chris Parton, the board selected Calvo as the chair. Discussion of the process for appointing the two vacancies to the Board of County Commissioners followed. Hicks recommended appointing both positions based on the transferal of authority to appoint following the lack of quorum. Position 2 would be appointed first, followed by Position 1, with the Temporary Board drawing from the same pool of applicants. Human Resources will open applications through NEOGOV online Friday, January 30th, and advertise in the paper as soon as possible. The application period will run through until Sunday, February 8th at midnight. Hicks volunteered to approve the vacancy postings, which was unanimously favored. Aspects the Temporary Board will look for in applicants are work experience, leadership, communication, collaboration, computer skills, teamwork, and an educational background. Applications sent in by February 5th will be emailed to the Temporary Board members for review that day, followed by the remaining applications sent to the board by February 9th.
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Recall Certified, Temporary Board to Meet, Discuss Process for Appointing 2 Positions
The election to recall Former Commissioner Chris Barnett has been certified ahead of schedule. County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels certified the results this morning, showing a voter turnout of 32.3%. The percentage of yes votes was 61.76%, the no votes were 38.24%. The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers are now able to meet for a special meeting, which has been scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room. The agenda begins with a selection of the chair, a discussion of the process for Appointments to Josephine County Commissioner Positions 1 and 2, and a Timeline for appointments. The Temporary Board will continue with consideration of whether to establish a new application deadline, contents of a new application, approval of vacancy postings, and other matters related to the filling of the vacancies. The meeting will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those attending in person must abide by the clear bag policy.
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Wanted O'Brien Man Arrested in Washington State
An O'Brien man wanted in connection with multiple stolen vehicles and a high-speed pursuit was apprehended in Washington. Washougal Police arrested Billy Dean Gregory, 55, on January 16, and booked him into the Clark County Jail. Gregory was arrested for third-degree theft, and making a false statement to a public servant. He is also being held on outstanding warrants for 13 additional charges, including five counts of theft, forgery, theft of a motor vehicle, and attempting to elude. Local charges have been referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The initial incident began just before 10:30 a.m., December 19th, when Josephine County reported a stolen vehicle eluding law enforcement on Interstate 5. The pursuit continued into Jackson County, where Central Point Police Department officers successfully deployed spike strips on the suspect vehicle along I-5. Despite the damage, Gregory continued to elude officers at a high rate of speed into Ashland. The pursuit was later terminated due to public safety concerns.
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