Award homeless grant to Elk Island Trading Group
After the Josephine County Board of Commissioners' Oct. 23 meeting, it is obvious to all that Pathways to Stability appears to have lied on its application for the $1.2 million homeless grant put forth by the City Council. Commissioner and Board Chair Andreas Blech said that the Board of Commissioners will in all likelihood not approve the N Street location. Read More »

Resign, Barnett, because your hypocrisy amazes
Josephine County Commissioner Chris Barnett is an amazing example of hypocrisy. Each week, he belittles the citizenry for deigning to question his actions. At last Thursday's weekly business session, he was supposed to discuss a homeless shelter proposal. Instead, he vomited a profanity-laden tirade weeping about the evils of keyboard warriors whose opposition damages our county. He finished his spectacle by demanding that naysayers leave.  Read More »

It's disappointing that teacher had to resign
A recent article about the settlement for the teachers involved in the "I Resolve" video piqued my interest, so I went to YouTube to watch and listen. I was sincerely impressed with the presentation. My lasting impression was that this was a proposal to find common ground to bring schools, teachers and parents together in search of a solution where all would feel valued. Read More »

Pity the Guard being used as a photo prop
The National Guard is called up to help deal with emergencies. They leave their families and jobs for national service. Imagine being called up to stand around in riot gear for hours at a time in a city that doesn't want you. You are away from your family, missing soccer games, birthday parties and back-to-school nights. You are probably taking a serious pay cut to stand in front of a building with a few protesters. Read More »

Still waiting on Bentz to show any leadership
Cliff Bentz, where are you? These statistics cover his record during the 118th Congress (Jan. 3, 2023-Jan. 3, 2025): Read More »

President brings peace to Middle East — really?
I can't help but laugh at the imagination-stretching lengths sycophants will go to to praise our president. In an Oct. 17 opinion column, Marc Thiessen — an unapologetic admirer of the guy who sits in what's left of the White House — refers to Trump's "success in convincing Israel and the Arab world to embrace his 20-point peace plan to end the war with Hamas." Contrary to its obvious implication, there's a considerable difference between a pause in a battle and bringing "peace" to the Middle East. And Donald's powder-puff "peace plan" does virtually nothing concrete to accomplish the latter. Read More »

Holding out hope for the future of our country
As I watch the unmaking of America and worry how that will affect our children and grandchildren, I am reminded of the words on every U.S. coin and dollar: "In God We Trust."  Read More »

City needs managed site, as camping lot shows
The city of Grants Pass leadership steadfastly refuses to manage the downtown homeless camps, which has created a chronic nuisance property that is visible to our entire community and visitors. This front-row seat to the horrible conditions and behaviors has created tremendous ill will toward any long-term solution the City Council is trying to provide through the grant program.  Read More »