Questions & Answers from John West
Candidate for Josephine County Commissioner
Lower Property Taxes
QUESTION:
Do you want lower property taxes and more money in your pocket?
ANSWER:
Property taxes keep going up. That’s not an accident, and it doesn’t have to continue.
Josephine County households work too hard to watch their paychecks and wealth get chipped away year after year by taxes that ARE under County control.
ENOUGH.
I have a plan to cut your property taxes in different areas using what some would refer to as a user pay system, and by using savings in unneeded county government positions and government efficiency.
Wildland Fire Protection
QUESTION:
Do you want an experienced wildland fire professional protecting our county?
ANSWER:
Wildfire danger is real. Homes, lives, and livelihoods are at stake every summer.
We cannot afford leadership that learns on the job. We need experience. I bring years of wildland fire knowledge and real-world response experience to the table.
I will push for serious wildfire preparedness, smart mitigation, and coordinated response planning to better protect Josephine County families.
Strong Law Enforcement
QUESTION:
Do you want strong law enforcement and jail services without paying more?
ANSWER:
Public safety is not optional.
I know a way to help lower your property taxes on the jail levy by using property tax money you already pay instead of wasting it in areas of government you don’t use. Existing funds can be redirected more efficiently so we protect our community without automatically asking you for more.
Safer & Better Roads
QUESTION:
Do you want safer roads and better-maintained roads in Josephine County?
ANSWER:
Roads are basic infrastructure. When they fail, families and businesses pay the price.
I will push for road funding that focuses on maintenance, safety, and long-term planning, not pet projects or politics.
Your tax dollars should fix roads first.
Veterans Funding
QUESTION:
Do you want real funding for our veterans right here in Josephine County?
ANSWER:
Our veterans are a priority to me.
Once the forestry program is paid for, I want to propose using a percentage of forestry profits to help fund our local veterans program. We should take care of the men and women who have served this country and ensure support is available right here in Josephine County.
Animal Shelter Solution
QUESTION:
Do you want a real solution to Josephine County’s animal shelter funding issue?
ANSWER:
This issue has gone unresolved for too long.
We can find a responsible, sustainable funding solution without automatically turning to higher property taxes.
It will take leadership, partnership, and smart budgeting. I am ready to do that work.
Smaller, More Efficient Government
QUESTION:
Do you want smaller, more efficient government?
ANSWER:
County government should operate smarter, not bigger.
Working with the board, departments can be downsized where appropriate by using more affordable methods while still supplying better service. The goal is simple: improved efficiency and real tax savings for you, the people.
Accountability
QUESTION:
Do you want county commissioners accountable to the people?
ANSWER:
Elected officials answer to the voters. Period.
I support stronger oversight, clearer reporting, and measurable results so commissioners cannot hide behind process or politics.
You deserve leadership that answers directly to you.
Transparency
QUESTION:
Do you want greater transparency in county government?
ANSWER:
You should not have to dig for information about how your money is spent.
I will push for clearer reporting, accessible meetings, and easier access to decision-making processes.
Transparency builds trust. Hiding information destroys it.
Public Records Access
QUESTION:
Do you want public records streamlined and easy to access?
ANSWER:
Public records mean you have the right to see what is going on in your government.
Those records should be streamlined, easier, and quicker to access. When transparency improves, it not only protects your rights — it also saves taxpayer money while giving you access to what is rightfully yours.
One-Stop Permits & Services
QUESTION:
Do you want a one-stop shop for county permits and services?
ANSWER:
County services should not require multiple trips to different offices.
My goal is to bring county service offices under one building so you can go to one place, make one stop, and get everything you need. That approach saves time, saves money, and makes county government more efficient.
A Cleaner County
QUESTION:
Do you want cleaner neighborhoods, less trash, and protected soils and streams?
ANSWER:
Josephine County should be something we are proud of.
Bringing back the Josephine County Clean Forest Program, keeping neighborhood roads clean of trash, and enforcing stricter dumping laws on public property are important steps. Illegal dumping is not just a sanitation issue — it is a fire hazard. Let’s take pride in our county and protect its appearance and safety.
County Transit
QUESTION:
Do you want Josephine County Transit serving the entire county?
ANSWER:
The transit system is primarily government funded, and our current director is doing a great job.
My focus is making sure the system reaches everyone who relies on it and provides the best service possible. Many residents depend on transit to get to school, work, medical appointments, and other essential services. This program has become a priority for many families. The real question is simple: is there anything we can do better to serve you?
The Homeless Situation
QUESTION:
Do you want the homeless situation in Josephine County to get better?
ANSWER:
The homeless situation is complex. Compassion matters, especially for those facing true hardship. At the same time, taxpayers should not be forced to carry the financial burden for those who choose not to work. Homeless camps are not the answer. Solving this problem requires working with our federal congressman, state senators, and state representatives so the burden does not fall solely on Josephine County residents.
As commissioner, I do not control the city’s government, but I will work with them and push for solutions that protect our businesses, jobs, and property values. Crime increases when this issue is not handled properly, and rising costs to citizens are unacceptable.
What is most important to YOU?
QUESTION:
What is most important to YOU?
ANSWER:
Integrity and true service matter. I work for you. I serve all 88,000 plus or minus residents of Josephine County. That is the responsibility I am prepared to carry.
I’m not asking for campaign money.
I’m asking for your VOTE.
Because I will work for YOU, not the system.
Looking for more straight answers?
Follow John’s Facebook page for more straight answers.
Or email John West if you have questions he has not covered:
Facts About the Recall
QUESTION:
What are the facts regarding why you were recalled?
ANSWER:
The person who wrote the recall allegations is facing a defamation lawsuit. The initial hearing took place Feb. 25, in which the judge ruled the plaintiff (John West) met the requirements for prima facie, which means that John West has presented enough evidence to support his claim to move forward to a trial.
To give you a very simple explanation, let’s look directly at one of the six allegations:
Allegation 1: “Bad faith negotiations in the Pipe Fork property sale, leading to lost revenue and jeopardizing a Williams community water source.”
→ The county did not lose revenue. In fact, it saved the county from losing revenue, since the sale had a value far below market. One of the claims made by the person who wrote these allegations is that John West cost the county $6 million; yet there are sworn affidavits from county officials that John West, in fact, saved the county $8 million.
Allegation 2: “Ignored the will of the voters by eliminating funding for community programs, including OSU Extension, law enforcement, and public health.”
→ The fact remains, and records show, that John West voted to save public health and law enforcement. This claim is false.
Allegation 3: “West has shown a pattern of violating state laws, including campaign finance regulations and public meeting laws, and is currently facing several pending ethics and labor law violations.”
→ Nobody has been able to show what “state laws” were broken, much less a “pattern.” In addition, all ethics violations have been dismissed. This entire allegation in the recall is bogus.
Allegation 4: “Unlawfully approved a Library District withdrawal leading to costly litigation.”
→ In fact, this is another false claim, as there is indeed a legal process to withdraw, so that statement is false.
Allegation 5: “West has shown a pattern of threatening community safety by reducing the Firewise program, reducing the Emergency Management program, and eliminating property development fire standards.”
→ Again, false. Firewise is a state program in which the state was ending the funding. There were two options: keep two employees and end the program sooner, or cut one employee and extend the program for twice as long—but John West certainly didn’t cut the program.
Allegation 6: “Hired unqualified political allies for key County employee and contract positions.”
→ This is the only allegation the judge threw out, as it was too much of an opinion rather than a statement of fact.