A library volunteer and Grants Pass Friends of the Library member has asked the Josephine County District Attorney to file misdemeanor charges against the three members of the Board of Commissioners.
Matthew Hoff filed a petition for redress of grievances to Commissioners Andreas Blech, Chris Barnett and Ron Smith on April 22nd, stating that "the actions and inactions of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners regarding the lease of the Grants Pass Library facility constitute a significant breach of public trust and governance obligations, and violate the County Charter's mandate for library support and public accountability."
According to the Josephine County Charter, "Josephine County government officials that are petitioned for redress of grievances shall be required to respond within five days, and to resolve the problem in question within 60 days. To date, Hoff said he has received no response.
In addition to providing a mechanism for the redress of grievances, the Charter also provides a means of enforcement which includes citing persons charged with violating the Charter Amendment by issuing a Class B Misdemeanor Citation. It states "no person shall be immune from such citation regardless of any personal or official capacity whatsoever. Judicial proceedings regarding such citations shall follow the same as in the issuance of any other misdemeanor citation."
In addition, Hoff has now filed a second petition that delineates means of resolving the conflict.
On January 6th, the Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the Grants Pass library lease with 30 days' notice and no prior consultation. From that date through March 31st, the Board did not provide an explanation, indicate what it wanted, offer any lease terms, name a proposed rental rate or send a termination notice.
