Continue to Stand in the Gap: Josephine County

Oregon Caves Cascades, Josephine Co.
Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your border; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18

The population of Josephine County is 88,000. Grants Pass is the county seat with Cave Junction the other incorporated town. The county borders California to the south, Curry to the west, and Jackson to the east. It is a beautiful area with the Rogue, Applegate, and Illinois rivers providing recreation opportunities. Other beautiful and interesting areas to explore include Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the Oregon Caves National Monument. We’ve written about some of the history here, here, and here, including the story of Josephine Rollins, for whom the county was named.

The county has a home-rule charter where the voters adopt and amend the type of county government they have. The three commissioners are elected for four-year terms and are responsible for adopting ordinances, establishing programs, levying taxes and other business of the county. Other officials responsible for the functions of the county departments are either appointed by the commissioners or are elected. Those elected include Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor, Clerk, Surveyor, Treasurer, and Legal Counsel.

The current commissioners are Dan DeYoung, Herman Baertschiger Jr., and John West.

The County Sheriff is Dave Daniel. In November the people of Josephine County voted in favor of a Josephine County Law Enforcement Service District with the approval of an increase in property tax that goes exclusively for patrol, evidence and dispatch services and no other purpose. This will allow for long-overdue 24/7 patrol coverage.

Josephine County, Oregon
Just before Christmas, the Josephine County Commissioners chose a new representative for the Oregon House of Representatives, District 3. Five candidates were considered to replace Republican Lily Morgan, who stepped down to become the city manager of Gold Hill. The Republican precinct committee persons picked the five candidates. The Commissioners chose Dwayne Yunker 2-1 to fill the seat for the remainder of the term. He has already filed to run in the 2024 election.

Mr. Yunker has lived in Josephine County for 40 years and works in real estate. He values educational freedom, individual rights, and pro-life policies. The Secretary of State still has to approve the appointment.

There is an area in the mountains of Josephine County, Pipe Fork Creek, that is of concern to residents, a conservation group, and county officials. Part of it is a Bureau of Land Management research natural area (RNA) and so it is protected. However, Josephine County owns lands adjacent to the RNA and has considered selling timber from the land. A conservation group, fearing clearcuts, has offered to buy the property but the Commissioners have declined the offer as too low. This debate has gone on for several years.

The controversy over the use of our natural resources in Oregon is ongoing and of vital importance to the state’s economy as well as air and water quality, recreation, and scenic beauty. Pray for wisdom for the Commissioners over the Pipe Fork Creek timber.

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