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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2026

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Sheriff Candidate Dave Daniel on Jail Funding, Rural Patrols and Public Trust By John Oliver Keeping the jail open to people arrested across Josephine County and getting deputies to rural residents are central to Sheriff Dave Daniel’s bid for another term. The incumbent supports the proposed jail and juvenile detention levy and says continued hiring will allow his office to restore a resident deputy program previously suspended because of staffing shortages. Daniel points to around-the-clock patrols, a major crimes detectives division and specialized enforcement teams as evidence of the department’s progress during his tenure. With nearly 30 years in Josephine County law enforcement and almost 12 as sheriff, he is asking voters to retain him as the office works to expand staffing and sustain services across a county he describes as covering 1,600 square miles. John Oliver interviews Daniel for the Grants Pass Tribune about jail funding, rural response times, leadership, investigations and the responsibility to serve residents impartially. The Tribune also interviewed sheriff candidate Jon Knapp, whose interview appears in this edition. Both candidates were asked the same five questions, giving readers an opportunity to compare their priorities and plans for the Sheriff’s Office. Oliver: Do you support the proposed levy for Josephine County’s adult jail and juvenile detention operations, and why should voters support your position? Explain how you would approach jail staffing and capacity, work with county officials responsible for juvenile detention, and account publicly for the use of levy revenue. If the measure

fails, what specific funding or operational alternatives would you pursue, and what consequences should residents realistically expect? Dave Daniel: Yes, I do support the $0.93 renewal of the levy. It will take $0.89 of that levy to support adult jail operations for the next five years. Having the ability to house up to 185 adults in custody—and, maybe even more importantly, having the ability for all law enforcement to bring all arrested persons to the jail—creates an immediate impact on those arrested and some immediate action for victims of crime. The other $0.04 of the levy is for juvenile detention. In speaking with the commissioners, they have committed to supporting that program for at least a couple of years. However, something is going to have to be done for support beyond that. If the levy fails, I hope everyone remembers

2012, when the jail population was around 40 to 50. Only mandatory arrests and Measure 11 person-to-person felonies could be incarcerated. Josephine County largely supports law enforcement, so let’s keep going. Oliver: For residents of the Illinois Valley, north valley and other unincorporated areas, access to a deputy can be a central public safety concern. If elected, what would your plan be to provide dependable patrol coverage and timely responses across Josephine County? Identify the improvements you would prioritize, how you would fund them and the standards residents could use to judge your progress. Dave Daniel: At the Sheriff’s Office, we strategically assign and position deputies throughout the county based on call-volume data. We gather historical call data every month to see if there are spikes in calls for service or lulls. We are still growing and hiring, so the number of deputies will increase and response times will be reduced as a result. However, we must keep in mind that Josephine County has 1,600 square miles, so we must be realistic that it could take some time to respond in certain areas. I have just put in for a grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance for $13,000 to cover overtime for resident deputies. I am bringing that program back as we are growing. They will focus on crime and livability issues by reaching out closer to the communities they are assigned to. This was a very successful program we had in the past but had to put on hold due to staffing

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see SHERIFF, page 5

Candidate for Sheriff Challenges Jail Levy, Calls for Rural Substations and Expanded Patrols By John Oliver Jonathan Knapp is asking Josephine County voters to change how their Sheriff’s Office pays for jail operations, deploys rural deputies and answers to the public. The sheriff candidate opposes the proposed jail levy and would instead pursue charges to agencies using the jail, establish outlying substations and organize a volunteer posse to free deputies for additional calls. Knapp bases his bid on 20 years in law enforcement and a management background that he says includes interviewing and hiring hundreds of deputies and corrections officers. His proposals include a minimum of four patrol deputies on duty, additional crime scene investigators, an expanded school resource officer program and a traffic enforcement unit he wants to make self-funded. John Oliver interviews Knapp for the Grants Pass Tribune about jail funding, rural response times, leadership, investigations and the responsibility to serve residents impartially. The Tribune also interviewed incumbent Sheriff Dave Daniel, whose interview appears in this edition. Both candidates received the same five questions, giving readers an opportunity to compare their priorities and plans for the Sheriff’s Office. Oliver: Do you support the proposed levy for Josephine County’s adult jail and juvenile detention operations, and why should voters support your position? Explain how you would approach jail staffing and capacity, work with county officials

responsible for juvenile detention, and account publicly for the use of levy revenue. If the measure fails, what specific funding or operational alternatives would you pursue, and what consequences should residents realistically expect? Jonathan Knapp: I do not support the proposed levy for several reasons. First, the public is being misled to believe that this is a renewal of the current levy. This is not correct. While the tax amount remains the same, this new levy removes the mandatory funding for juvenile justice and funnels 100% of the tax to the adult jail. The sheriff has already publicly stated at the CRG forum that they will take another bite of the apple and make an attempt within the next year or

two to ask the public for a 30- to 35-cent taxing district—a tax which never goes away—to fund the juvenile justice program. The current levy is more than needed already. The current levy provides funding for 185 inmates, but reports provided to the budget committee and county commissioners show that the average number of inmates housed in the jail falls between 85 and 120 inmates. Staffing for 185 just in case the jail fills up is an unnecessary expense. If the measure fails, I will use the pay-to-stay model and charge the agencies using the jail for the actual costs of incarceration. Currently, approximately 80% of all inmates are booked by GPPD on city charges. Other inmates are booked by OSP, but the residents in the unincorporated areas of Josephine County and those in Cave Junction are paying 50% of the operating costs. Prior to the current levy, the city of Grants Pass paid $1 million per year to use the jail. Under this levy, they only pay the levy portion, which does not cover the cost to house inmates arrested by the city police department. Oliver: For residents of the Illinois Valley, north valley and other unincorporated areas, access to a deputy can be a central public safety concern. If elected, what would your plan be to provide dependable patrol coverage and timely responses across Josephine County? Identify the improvements you would prioritize, how you would fund

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see CANDIDATE, page 5

Two Stories, One Stage By Bryce Robinson The wait for “Two Great Musicals, One Great Show!” reaches its end this weekend as Clarion Theatre Company brings a world of enforced obedience and a story of faith through loss to the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center. Opening Friday, October 16, the production pairs “Fairhaven” and “In Time” for a five-performance engagement featuring two original one-act musicals. Audiences will see both productions during a single visit, with one musical performed before intermission and the other afterward. The double-feature format gives each story its own place on the program while keeping the combined performance within the length of a typical musical. Evening performances are scheduled for October 16, 17 and 23 at 7 p.m. Matinees will be held October 18 and 24 at 3 p.m. The Performing Arts Center is located at 313 NE Olive Street in Grants Pass. “Fairhaven,” written by local playwright John Sleadd, begins after a revolution has placed society under the authority of the Collective Control Council. Within that new order, Fairhaven serves as a work and reeducation facility where the people described as residents are inmates subjected to drugs that erase their memories and instruction designed to bring their thinking into compliance with the council. The institution’s doctrine, known as “Council Think,” governs their reorientation. Residents believe that obedience will eventually allow them to return to society, provided they satisfy the council’s requirements. What they do not understand is what that promised assimilation entails, or that demonic forces operate behind the scenes. Milly, Fairhaven’s newest resident, disrupts that system after receiving visits from guardian angels. Her encounters lead her to become a defiant dissident, placing resistance inside a facility built around conformity. The resulting struggle brings freedom and tyranny into conflict, with supernatural encounters and comic elements accompanying the confrontation between good and evil. “In Time,” written by local playwright Maxwell Bruhn, turns to mortality, the choices people make during their lives and the grief that remains when someone else’s time ends. Its characters face

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see CLARION’S, page 9

GRANTS PASS TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

GRANTS PASS TRIBUNE

POLITICS County Treasurer Candidate Dustin Calvo on Protecting Taxpayer Money, Managing County Investments and Financial Accountability By John Oliver The Grants Pass Tribune sits down with Dustin Calvo, Josephine County’s appointed treasurer and a candidate seeking election to continue in the office, to examine how he would protect taxpayer money, administer property tax collections and prepare the treasury for financial risks. Calvo served as chief deputy treasurer before his appointment and now carries out both treasury and tax collection responsibilities. The Tribune requested the same questions from Calvo and his opponent, Simon Hare, with an October 9 deadline. Calvo’s responses address his qualifications, governmental accounting, investment decisions, property taxes, economic conditions and safeguards against fraud. His answers appear below in full, with corrections limited to grammar, spelling and punctuation. Oliver: What specific education, professional experience and demonstrated financial responsibilities qualify you to serve as Josephine County Treasurer? Explain your understanding of governmental fund accounting, including the differences among cash balances, budget authority and money legally available for expenditure. How would you verify that restricted funds and money held for other taxing districts remain properly accounted for, and what experience prepares you to identify and resolve a discrepancy among bank statements, investment records and the county’s general ledger? Dustin Calvo: “My strongest qualification is that I am doing this work now. I served as Josephine County’s chief deputy treasurer before being appointed treasurer, and I currently carry out both the treasury and tax collection functions. My responsibilities include safeguarding county and taxing district money, managing cash and investments, accounting for receipts, and ensuring property tax collections are distributed accurately. My relevant education and training include an undergraduate certificate in accounting, seven years in private-sector accounting, and multiple training sessions through state associations. Governmental accounting requires more than checking whether there is money in the bank. A cash balance shows what has been received and remains on hand. Budget authority is the legal permission to spend up to an adopted amount for an approved purpose. Money legally available for a particular expenditure must satisfy both tests and any additional restrictions on its use. Cash held for a school district, city, or other taxing district is not available for the county to spend. Neither is a restricted grant balance available for an unrelated county expense. I would verify those distinctions through fund-level records, documented restrictions, the tax collector’s distribution schedules, and regular reconciliations. Bank balances, investment and custodial statements, the county’s general ledger, and amounts owed to other districts must agree or have a documented timing difference. If they do not, I would trace the transactions to their source, identify whether the issue is a bank item, posting error, valuation difference, or misallocation, and work with Finance and the affected district to correct it. The person reviewing the reconciliation should be independent of the person who initiated the transaction. During the past year, I have located and corrected several errors that were caused by my predecessor during his short tenure. That is how I approach this office: account for whose money it is, document where it went, and resolve differences rather than carrying them forward.” Oliver: If elected, how would you manage Jo-

sephine County’s investment portfolio to protect principal, maintain sufficient liquidity and earn an appropriate return within Oregon law and county policy? Explain how you would evaluate credit quality, investment duration, maturity schedules, issuer concentration and custodial safeguards before approving an investment. How would you respond to rising interest rates or an unexpected need for cash that could require selling a security at a loss, and what information would you report publicly so voters could evaluate your investment decisions? Dustin Calvo: “My investment priorities are protection of principal, enough liquidity to pay obligations when due, and then an appropriate return. I already use a maturity ladder so investments come due at different times instead of tying up the county’s cash on one date. I compare available opportunities, including the Oregon Local Government Investment Pool, within state law and the county’s adopted investment policy. The Board has a role in adopting policy; my job is to carry it out and make prudent individual decisions within it. Before approving an investment, I would verify that the instrument and its maturity are permitted, assess the issuer’s credit quality, and compare its yield with alternatives of similar risk and duration. I would check the total exposure to that issuer and institution, the maturity schedule against projected cash needs, and the arrangements for holding the security. For bank deposits, I would verify applicable insurance and Oregon public funds collateralization requirements. I would retain the quotes, analysis, approval, and transaction record so the decision can be reviewed later. Rising rates can reduce the market value of an existing fixed-rate security even when it is expected to repay at maturity. I would not chase a higher quoted yield by locking up money needed for operations. A ladder and readily available cash reduce the chance that the county must sell at a loss. If an unexpected need arose, I would first confirm whose funds may legally be used, update the cash forecast, and compare lawful sources of liquidity before recommending a sale. Any realized loss would be documented and reported, not hidden behind a discussion of overall yield. Voters should be able to see the portfolio’s balances, holdings by type, maturities, earnings, and compliance with policy, along with an explanation of material changes or losses. The county already posts quarterly treasurer reports. I want those reports to help residents understand the decisions as well as see the numbers.” Oliver: What is your understanding of how Oregon’s Measures 5 and 50 affect assessed property values, tax compression and the revenue available to Josephine County and other taxing districts? Explain how you would account for payment

discounts, installment payments, delinquencies, appeals and refunds when forecasting collections and administering distributions. If elected, what would you do to improve the accuracy, timeliness and transparency of this work, and how would you distinguish your authority as treasurer from the responsibilities of the assessor and Board of Commissioners? Dustin Calvo: “Measure 50 generally limits annual growth in a property’s maximum assessed value to 3 percent, with exceptions such as new construction. The taxable assessed value is generally the lower of that maximum and the property’s real market value. Measure 5 then limits certain education and general government taxes based on real market value. When taxes exceed those limits, compression reduces the amount billed. That means neither an increase in market value nor a district’s requested levy automatically produces the same increase in collections. A useful revenue forecast begins with the certified tax roll after applicable limits and compression, then accounts for how and when taxpayers actually pay. Full payment by the November deadline generally qualifies for a 3 percent discount; taxpayers may also pay in installments. I would use prior collection patterns to estimate the November, February, and May receipts, then separately track delinquencies, later collections, interest, corrections, appeals, and refunds. An amount billed is not the same as cash received, and a pending appeal can change the final amount. As treasurer and tax collector, I would continue reconciling receipts to the tax records and bank deposits, checking the statutory allocation schedule, and distributing collections to the proper districts on time. I would track exceptions and corrections so districts can understand changes in their payments. I would also make reporting clearer about taxes imposed, cash collected, discounts, outstanding amounts, and distributions. The assessor determines values and prepares the assessment and tax roll. The Board adopts the county budget and makes policy and spending decisions within its authority. The treasurer safeguards, accounts for, invests, and distributes money; as the county’s designated tax collector, I also administer collections. I would work closely with the assessor and Board while keeping those responsibilities clear.” Oliver: How would you prepare Josephine County’s treasury for delayed tax collections, declining investment income or other economic conditions that reduce available cash? Describe the forecasting methods, liquidity reserves and stress tests you would use to determine whether the county could meet its obligations when due. How would you distinguish a temporary cash shortage from a continuing imbalance between revenue and expenditures, what legal limitations would govern any proposed borrowing between funds, and when would you notify county officials and the public of a developing financial problem? Dustin Calvo: “I would maintain a rolling cash forecast by fund, updated with actual receipts and payments. It should show payroll, debt payments, distributions owed to taxing districts, grant reimbursements, investment maturities, and the seasonal pattern of property tax collections. A countywide cash total alone can be misleading because money belonging to another district or restricted to a particular use cannot simply cover the county’s bills. I would test that forecast against delayed property tax receipts, slower grant reimbursements, lower investment income, and unexpectedly high

expenses. The result should tell us how much immediately available cash each fund needs and when an investment must mature. I would review those assumptions with Finance and adjust the investment ladder before a shortage forces a rushed decision. A temporary cash shortage has an identifiable timing cause and a credible source and date for repayment. A continuing imbalance means recurring expenditures exceed recurring revenue; moving cash between funds will not solve it. If an interfund loan were proposed, I would require review of the source fund’s restrictions, a governing body resolution, a lawful purpose, a repayment plan, and confirmation that the loan will not impair the source fund’s obligations. I would not treat money held for other taxing districts as a reserve for county operations. I would notify Finance and the Board promptly when a forecast shows a material problem, while there is still time to respond. I would explain the issue publicly once the facts and appropriate response are established, including its size, timing, affected funds, and whether it is a timing gap or a structural budget problem. The public should hear about a developing risk before it becomes a missed payment.” Oliver: If elected, what specific controls would you require to protect county money against fraudulent payments, unauthorized account changes, internal misuse and cyberattacks? Explain how you would apply segregation of duties, independent verification of banking changes, dual payment authorization, multifactor authentication and auditable transaction records. How would you maintain essential treasury operations if financial systems became unavailable, verify the accuracy of restored records and demonstrate that your safeguards work? Identify the measurable improvements you would seek during your first year and how voters could evaluate your progress. Dustin Calvo: “Protecting public money requires controls that operate on ordinary transactions, not just a policy binder. I would maintain separation between the people who set up a vendor or bank account, approve a payment, release it, and reconcile it. Changes to payment instructions should be verified through a trusted phone number or other independently established contact, never solely through the email requesting the change. Sensitive payments should require two authorized approvals, and access to banking and financial systems should use multifactor authentication, individual accounts, limited permissions, and prompt removal when a person changes roles. I would require transaction logs that show who requested, changed, approved, and released a payment. Reconciliations should be completed and reviewed on a defined schedule, with unresolved items assigned and followed to closure. Banking alerts and payment controls should help detect unusual activity quickly. I would coordinate these measures with Finance, IT, the banks, and the county’s auditors because the treasurer cannot secure a connected financial system alone. If the systems went down, the office would need current contact lists, secure copies of essential records, documented approval procedures for critical payments, and a tested way to communicate with the bank. When service returned, we would compare bank confirmations and transaction records with restored system data, account for every payment made during the outage, and independently review exceptions before treating the records as complete.

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

GRANTS PASS TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

GRANTS PASS TRIBUNE

POLITICS

Sheriff Dave Daniel’s Bid for Another Term From page 1 levels. We are back. Oliver: What makes you the stronger choice to lead the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, and how would that experience translate into recruiting, retaining and supervising qualified deputies, corrections personnel and support staff? Describe your approach to training, employee morale and performance standards, including the personnel or management changes you would prioritize during your first year. Dave Daniel: I have been in law enforcement in Josephine County for nearly 30 years. I have been sheriff for going on 12 of those. I know this county, and I know the Sheriff’s Office. Early on, we rebranded, passed a jail levy, renewed it, then passed a law enforcement service district. I think if the public looks at all of the positive progress we have made over the last 12 years, they will know I am the stronger choice. Aroundthe-clock patrols, a major crimes detectives division, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team, a K9 division, and millions of dollars in federal and state grant funding are just some of our accomplishments. We are a family, and I want to continue

to lead this great team with energy, integrity, honor and honesty. Oliver: How would you prioritize the Sheriff’s Office’s response to drug trafficking, domestic violence, child abuse, property crime and repeat offenders while operating within the county’s available resources? Explain how you would work with prosecutors, neighboring agencies and victim service providers to move cases from initial reports through investigation and prosecution, and identify the results you would expect to achieve. Dave Daniel: Those offenses are all high priority, and we work on them daily. With the addition of a major crimes detectives unit, it only improves our ability to investigate all of these in greater detail. We routinely work with outside entities and have great relationships with the District Attorney’s Office, Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance, Women’s Crisis and Options of Southern Oregon, to name only a few. We have very strong relationships with the Oregon State Police and Grants Pass Police Department.

Even as I type this, we are conducting an investigation with the DA, OSP, Medford Police and GPPD. This is just an example of the strong collaboration that is necessary to conduct thorough investigations. When bad things happen, there is no room for ego or isolation. Oliver: The sheriff serves every Josephine County resident, regardless of political affiliation, personal relationships or whether that resident supported the winning candidate. What specific policies would you establish or maintain to ensure impartial enforcement, fair handling of complaints against personnel and timely access to public information? Explain how you would address potential conflicts of interest and report the department’s spending, performance and shortcomings to the community. Dave Daniel: This is why the office of sheriff is a nonpartisan position. I have been asked in the past to be endorsed by both sides of the aisle. I have always turned down the offer. Only once did one party do it without my knowledge. Specifically, our policy manual addresses all of these issues to ensure impartial enforcement.

We do not judge or conduct business based on bias, race, religion, gender, party affiliation or sexual orientation. If you are a Josephine County resident or someone traveling through, rest assured you will get the same level of service as any other person in the county. I have been asked for special favors or attention before, and the answer has always been no. We have been put in situations where there have been conflicts of interest. When they arise, we outsource to other agencies or bring in outside investigators to assist in avoiding conflicts. The office’s spending is all public, is available to the public and originates during the budget process. When things of value need to be purchased, the Board of County Commissioners has oversight, as does the county finance director, who oversees all of our spending. I am extremely proud of our performance with the level of personnel we have. However, there will always be shortcomings, largely due to staffing. This is where we analyze and adapt when and where we can. “It truly is an honor to serve Josephine County.”

Candidate for Sheriff Jonathan Knapp From page 1 them and the standards residents could use to judge your progress. Jonathan Knapp: The Sheriff’s Patrol District was established to meet the need for 24/7 patrol. Unfortunately, the funds were used in other areas, and while the sheriff claims to currently have 24/7 patrol, there is no information available as to how many deputies are on duty during the evening hours and where they are located. The claims that this is an officer safety issue fall short when the public is denied coverage. Do we really have officers out on patrol, how many, and what part of the county is being provided that coverage? A county the size of Josephine, with areas as spread out as Wolf Creek, Williams and Cave Junction, always requires, at a bare minimum, four patrol deputies on duty. Even that limits the number and type of calls a deputy can respond to. I do believe that between the Sheriff’s Patrol District tax and general fund support, there is funding available to provide the desired services. I would establish substations in the outer areas of Josephine County that deputies would be assigned to, and the public would have access to those deputies at those locations. We would develop a volunteer posse program where trained personnel would be able to respond with deputies to certain types of incidents—nonviolent incidents that are not in progress—and assist as needed. Traffic control at accidents, inmate transfers, scene security and other types of situations that currently tie up deputies would be handled with that assistance, thereby freeing them up to handle additional calls for service. Oliver: What makes you the stronger choice to lead the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, and how would that experience translate into recruiting, retaining and supervising qualified deputies, corrections personnel and support staff? Describe your approach to training, employee morale and performance standards, including the personnel or management changes you would prioritize during your first year. Jonathan Knapp: My 20 years in law enforcement in the fourth-largest sheriff’s office in the country provided me with the education, skills and experience to be Josephine County sheriff. My educational background, with a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration and a master’s degree

in business management, provides the necessary tools for this management position. Recruiting and retaining quality staff comes with running a quality organization where the employee is valued and respected. It is difficult to recruit and retain in smaller communities because the pool of local candidates is limited. We must offer a potential candidate a fair salary, safe working conditions and excellent training and supervision. As someone who has interviewed and hired hundreds of deputies and corrections officers, I understand what these fine men and women are looking for and what the Sheriff’s Office needs. Holding deputies to a higher standard encourages the best performance and the desire to remain part of the team. You cannot settle for any warm body if you want to build a high-performing team. Oliver: How would you prioritize the Sheriff’s Office’s response to drug trafficking, domestic violence, child abuse, property crime and repeat offenders while operating within the county’s available resources? Explain how you would work with prosecutors, neighboring agencies and victim service providers to move cases from initial reports through investigation and prosecution, and identify the results you would expect to achieve. Jonathan Knapp: In responding to crimes, you handle those calls in order of priority. By that, I mean that crimes in progress and crimes against people involving physical harm have the priority. When a crime is taking place or has taken place, that offense is the most important thing at that time to the person reporting the crime. As sheriff, we must respect that and do all we can to resolve the situation. Limited resources are not an excuse to ignore the citizens of Josephine County or fail to respond or even collect evidence. The legal system is a complicated one, and the three branches of government sometimes make it difficult to see proper law enforcement through to a conclusion. Deputies must respond and then do a great job with the investigation to submit the proper filing of charges to ensure that the case makes it to a courtroom. But even when the deputies do all that, there is no guarantee that the court system will follow through and provide the citizens with the desired result. Working with the other departments and agen-

cies is critical to ensure that no case goes unsolved, no victim is victimized a second time, inmate rights are protected and our citizens feel safe in their community. Oliver: The sheriff serves every Josephine County resident, regardless of political affiliation, personal relationships or whether that resident supported the winning candidate. What specific policies would you establish or maintain to ensure impartial enforcement, fair handling of complaints against personnel and timely access to public information? Explain how you would address potential conflicts of interest and report the department’s spending, performance and shortcomings to the community. Jonathan Knapp: This is a perfect question to wrap this interview up with. Public trust and accountability are key to building the best version of the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office possible. Law enforcement is a nonpartisan function. As sheriff, I would enforce the laws without influence from political parties. Many people forget that federal law trumps state law and state law trumps county codes. Our current sheriff turns a blind eye to our serious immigration problem and fails to arrest individuals from illegal marijuana grows who are in this country illegally. We have serious traffic problems in Josephine County, and someone is going to get killed by the many red-light runners, people talking on their phones while driving and those committing so many other dangerous traffic moves. We must create a self-funded traffic unit and start to make our roads

safer before someone pays a price with their life. Deputies must be held to a higher standard and must respect the citizens whom they serve. Our Sheriff’s Office is made up of many really stellar deputies, but we all know there are some who are giving the office a bad name, and that needs to be addressed. The current administration is good at spending money on projects and then justifying it as money from other sources. Many of the projects funded by general funds could have been used to increase patrol hours or hire additional staff. Public information requests go unanswered, and the public has no real picture of how much money is being wasted. The current sheriff has been paid over $1.5 million in compensation, and I must ask if we are that much better than when he was first elected. It has been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The only thing the past 12 years under Sheriff Daniel have proven is that we can expect additional promises of a better Sheriff’s Office and additional taxes on the residents of Josephine County. I would like to move the Sheriff’s Office forward with increased patrol, a volunteer posse unit, additional crime scene investigators and a traffic patrol unit to make our streets safer. I would like to expand our school resource officer program and work with other agencies, such as the U.S. Marshals Service and the Department of Homeland Security, to ensure all laws are followed with no outside pressure from political groups.

GRANTS PASS TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

GRANTS PASS TRIBUNE

OREGON

Oregon Ethics Commission Opens Inquiry into Wise’s $25,000 Nonprofit Payment By John Oliver A $25,000 payment from a nonprofit with ties to Oregon policy programs has prompted a formal ethics investigation into state Rep. Lamar Wise, with commissioners also examining whether his financial disclosure omitted lobbyists associated with his union employer. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted 8–0 on October 9 to investigate the Democratic representative’s disclosures following an August 4 complaint. The inquiry concerns a stipend from Seeding Justice and a separate reporting question involving Oregon AFSCME. Wise has acknowledged incorrectly completing his disclosure and said he amended the filing with assistance from commission staff. He characterized the omission as an honest mistake and said he has cooperated with the review. The Seeding Justice payment was absent from Wise’s 2026 statement of economic interest. His original filing identified Oregon AFSCME and Unite Oregon as income sources accounting for more than 10 percent of his household income. Commission investigator Daniel Pacheco

reported that the $25,000 stipend did not meet that percentage threshold. The preliminary review instead identified a possible violation involving a different disclosure requirement: reporting income from organizations with legislative or administrative interests connected to an official’s position. That requirement placed Seeding Justice’s relationship with state government at the center of the income disclosure question.

The Portland nonprofit funds social change programs and has participated in initiatives supported by Oregon public money. In 2022, the Legislature selected Seeding Justice to administer a $15 million fund intended to protect abortion access. State environmental officials selected the organization in 2023 to distribute funding for climate protection efforts, although it subsequently withdrew from that work.

The preliminary review also identified a possible omission of lobbyists associated with Oregon AFSCME. Wise has worked for the public employee union since 2019 and listed it as an income source. The investigator’s reported presentation did not specify which lobbyists should have appeared on the filing. Wise said the investigator handling his case recommended an educational letter to resolve the matter. The commission’s October 9 vote opened a full investigation; it did not impose a penalty or establish a final finding that he violated Oregon ethics law. The inquiry comes as Wise seeks election to the House District 48 seat he entered through appointment in November 2025 following the death of Rep. Hòa Nguyễn. The district includes portions of Southeast Portland and communities extending into Clackamas County. Republican Andrew Morrison is challenging Wise in the November 3 election. Commission investigators will examine the reporting obligations behind the disputed entries and whether Wise’s disclosures satisfied them. His amended filing and explanation are part of a case that remains under review.

GRANTS PASS TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

GRANTS PASS TRIBUNE

COMMUNITY Grants Pass Opens Two Seats on Commission Reviewing Historic Buildings and Sites City of Grants Pass A downtown business owner and a representative of Grants Pass’ local historical society are being sought for two seats on the city commission that reviews changes to historic properties and helps guide preservation work throughout the community. The City of Grants Pass opened applications October 13 for the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, with a December deadline and interviews scheduled before appointments in early January. The openings carry separate qualifications: one is for an owner of a business within the city’s Central Business District, and the other is for a representative from the local historical society in Grants Pass. All applicants must be at least 18 years old. Those appointed will serve on a commission whose responsibilities include reviewing proposed alterations to historic districts or designated structures within the Urban Growth Boundary. Its work also includes promoting historic preservation, advising other interested agencies on preservation matters and identifying areas and buildings with historic or archaeological significance. The property-review responsibility places proposed changes to designated structures and historic districts before the commission. That assignment is one part of a broader preservation role that extends beyond individual buildings to areas of archaeological significance within the community. The commission’s stated purpose includes both reviewing alterations and identifying places whose historical or archaeological importance warrants attention. The two positions bring representation from downtown commerce and the local historical society into that work. For the business seat, the qualification is ownership of a business located within the Central Business District of Grants Pass. For the historical society seat, the qualification is representation of the local

5 DAY OUTLOOK SOURCE: WEATHER.COM

WEDNESDAY Sunny 80/43

THURSDAY Sunny 88/44

FRIDAY Sunny 87/45

SATURDAY historical society. The city is accepting applications for both positions through the same application process and deadline. Applications are available in person at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street. The city also offers an online application option through the link accompanying its notice of the openings. Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, December 3, 2026. The selection schedule begins with interviews before the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission on Thursday, December 10. Applicants will be interviewed during the commission’s meeting, one week after the application deadline. That meeting is the first of two interview stages scheduled before the City Council makes its appointments. The second stage will take place Monday, January 4, 2027, when applicants are interviewed by the council during a City Council workshop. Council appointments are scheduled for Wednesday, January 6, at the City Council meeting. The

timetable carries the process from applications in December through commission review and council interviews to final selection in January. The commission’s advisory responsibilities also connect its preservation work with other interested agencies. Alongside its review of proposed property alterations, the panel is charged with offering advice on matters related to historic preservation. Identifying historically or archaeologically significant buildings and areas remains another stated part of its assignment. The city’s call for applicants covers both specialized seats, with eligibility determined by the business-owner or historical-society requirement as well as the minimum age. Prospective applicants can obtain the application at the downtown administration office or use the online option before the December 3 cutoff. Those selected in January will join the commission in carrying out its review, advisory and historic-preservation responsibilities.

Clarion’s Musical Double Feature Arrives This Weekend From page 1 questions about how to move forward, how to use the days available to them and how to rebuild when circumstances leave them picking up the pieces. The musical approaches those experiences through Christian faith, exploring belief in God’s sovereignty and providence alongside the anxiety that can accompany awareness of life’s limits. Its story follows characters seeking the Lord as they continue living through difficult circumstances,

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with the city becoming part of their movement forward. Trust remains central to that journey. The musical examines the belief that even the worst circumstances can have consequences extending beyond what those experiencing them can foresee, connecting personal decisions, loss and hope within its faith-centered story. A backstage video from a costumed rehearsal also offers a glimpse of the perform-

ers preparing for the weekend’s opening. The preview accompanies the final lead-up to a program that brings the two separate stories together on the same stage. Advance general-admission tickets cost $22 and can be purchased through the “Tickets Here” link at clarionor.org, which directs buyers to the show’s Zeffy ticket page. Admission at the door is $25. Ticket prices are the same for all ages, and seating is open.

Mostly sunny 74/44

SUNDAY Mostly cloudy 72/43

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

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NEWS DESK

Before Computers Reached American Homes, Women Helped Write Their Future By Ellen Ward Did you know yesterday was Ada Lovelace Day? The October 13 observance honored a mathematician who described how a machine could follow instructions more than a century before electronic computers became part of American life. Named for the English computing pioneer, the annual celebration also recognizes women whose work helped turn mathematical ideas into computer languages, spacecraft guidance and other scientific advances. The 2026 observance fell on the second Tuesday of October, the date used each year for an international celebration of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Its historical starting point reaches back to the 1840s, when Lovelace studied a proposed mechanical computer and recognized possibilities extending beyond arithmetic. Born in 1815, Lovelace was the daughter of poet Lord Byron and Annabella Milbanke, who had studied mathematics herself. Her mother encouraged an education in mathematics and science at a time when women had limited access to those subjects. Lovelace pursued that training through private instruction and correspondence, eventually entering the scientific circles surrounding inventor Charles Babbage. She met Babbage in 1833, when she was 17. He had been developing machinery intended to reduce errors in mathematical calculations, work then performed by hand. His later design, the Analytical Engine, proposed a machine with components for storing information, processing calculations and following instructions supplied through punched cards. In 1843, Lovelace translated an account of the Analytical Engine written by Italian engineer Luigi

Menabrea. She added extensive notes of her own, including a procedure for calculating Bernoulli numbers, a mathematical sequence. Those instructions became the first published algorithm for Babbage’s proposed machine and the basis for her frequent description as the first computer programmer. Babbage had also worked out algorithms in his unpublished notebooks. Lovelace’s place in computing history rests on both her published instructions and her analysis of what such machinery could accomplish. She understood that numbers could represent something other than quantities, including symbols and musical notes. A machine capable of manipulating those representations could therefore perform tasks beyond

numerical calculation. The Analytical Engine was never completed during either collaborator’s lifetime. Lovelace died in 1852 at age 36, without seeing her instructions executed on the intended machine. Her surviving work nevertheless documented an early understanding of computing as a general-purpose process, decades before the electronics needed for modern computers existed. The observance bearing her name began in 2009, founded by writer and technologist Suw Charman-Anderson. Her initiative encouraged people to write about women they admired in technology, bringing attention to accomplishments that often received limited recognition. It developed into an international celebration intended to increase the visibility of women in technical fields and provide examples for girls considering scientific careers. In the United States, Grace Hopper helped make programming more accessible during the transition from early calculating machines to commercial computers. A mathematician and naval officer, Hopper worked on Harvard’s Mark I during World War II. She later developed an early compiler system and led work on FLOW-MATIC, which used English-like instructions for business data processing. Hopper’s work influenced COBOL, the Common Business-Oriented Language developed through a collaborative effort beginning in 1959. Her advocacy for understandable programming languages helped move computing beyond instructions tied closely to individual machines. She also served a long naval career, eventually reaching the rank of rear admiral. Katherine Johnson’s calculations supported an-

other major American undertaking: human spaceflight. Working at the federal aeronautics research agency that preceded NASA and later at NASA itself, Johnson calculated the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s 1961 mission, which made him the first American in space. Before John Glenn’s 1962 orbital flight, he requested that Johnson verify calculations produced by electronic computers. Her mathematical checks supported the mission that made him the first American to orbit Earth. Johnson’s career at Langley extended from 1953 until 1986, spanning the period when spaceflight calculations shifted from extensive human computation to increasingly sophisticated electronic systems. Margaret Hamilton helped develop the software needed to carry American astronauts to the moon. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Instrumentation Laboratory, she led work on onboard flight software for the Apollo program. Her team’s responsibilities included making software reliable enough to function under conditions where errors could threaten a mission. During Apollo 11’s lunar descent in July 1969, the guidance computer reported an overload. Software designed to prioritize essential operations allowed critical guidance work to continue while lower-priority tasks were set aside. That capability helped the landing proceed. Ada Lovelace Day brings these kinds of accomplishments into the same historical frame: published algorithms, programming languages, verified flight paths and dependable spacecraft software. For American readers, the observance connects the machines used in everyday life with the women whose mathematical and engineering work helped establish the systems behind them.

Olympic Champion Jade Carey to Help Welcome Rogue Valley Families to New Medford Gym By Ellen Ward Chelsea Shaw’s next chapter in gymnastics is taking shape in the Rogue Valley, where the former University of Oregon acrobatics and tumbling coach has founded The Club Athletics. Olympic champion Jade Carey will join her October 24 for a grand-opening celebration introducing local families to the new gym. The event will bring Carey, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, to 163 Bateman Drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families will have an opportunity to meet her and tour a center whose programs begin with toddlers and extend to gymnasts preparing for competition. Carey’s appearance is the centerpiece of an opening that also introduces the people who will lead instruction at the Medford facility. Shaw, who previously headed Oregon’s acrobatics and tumbling program, earned the 2017 National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association Coach of the Year award. She is establishing the new gym with a coaching staff that includes NCAA All-American Selena Harris-Miranda and Courtney Starks, who brings 32 years of gymnastics experience. Starks will lead preschool and recreational programs, working in the part of the gym where children can first encounter the sport and continue learning without entering competition. Harris-Miranda is also part of the coaching staff, adding her collegiate gymnastics background to the center.

The Club Athletics will serve Medford and surrounding Rogue Valley communities with preschool gymnastics, recreational gymnastics, tumbling and competitive programs. That range places children of different ages, experience levels and ambitions within the same gym, from families seeking a first activity for a young child to athletes interested in team competition. For the youngest children, participation begins with a parent. Preschool gymnastics serves ages 1 through 5, and parents join the classes for children ages 1 through 3. Those sessions form the early

end of a program that continues into recreational instruction and more advanced training. Recreational gymnastics and tumbling classes run from beginner to advanced, with options for boys included. Children can enter as newcomers; build on skills they already have or pursue the sport as an ongoing recreational activity. Competition is another route available through the gym, with separate programs for athletes interested in taking that step. A pre-team program helps prepare gymnasts for competition. The center also offers Xcel and

Developmental Team programs, extending its instruction to athletes working toward competitive gymnastics. Shaw’s goal for the gym includes the development of confidence, discipline and character alongside athletic skills. She intends those qualities to carry beyond practice, whether a child is trying a new activity, steadily improving or training to compete. The different programs give those pursuits a place in the center’s plans rather than making competition the sole destination. At the grand opening, families will be able to walk through the new gym and learn about its classes while meeting Carey. The celebration brings the facility’s introductory programs and competitive ambitions together with an athlete whose accomplishments include two Olympic gold medals. Families attending the event can become founding members and receive 25 percent off noncompetitive programs for life. The discount is tied to those programs, while the gym’s Xcel and Developmental Team offerings provide its competitive options. The opening will also include opportunities to enter for a free year of recreational gymnastics, $500 in Club Cash or a free birthday party. The first 100 families will receive a free Club swag bag. Reservations for the October 24 grand opening are available at theclubathletics.com.

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

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NATIONAL

Nationwide Recall of Amazon Pain Reliever Affects Nearly 113,000 Bottles

Consumers Urged to Check Medicine Cabinets

By Kristina Fleming Amazon customers, including Prime members who regularly purchase household medications online, are being urged to examine their medicine cabinets following a nationwide recall of 112,932 bottles of Amazon-branded Extra Strength Acetaminophen after consumers reported discovering discolored tablets inside the containers. The recall affects a widely purchased overthe-counter pain reliever containing 500 milligrams of acetaminophen, the same active ingredient found in Extra Strength Tylenol. The medication is commonly used to treat headaches, muscle pain, backaches, minor arthritis discomfort, toothaches, menstrual cramps and fever. Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc., a pharmaceutical company based in East Windsor, New Jersey, initiated the voluntary recall on September 18, 2026. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration subsequently included the affected medication in its federal enforcement reporting system in early October, identifying seven manufacturing lots distributed nationwide through Amazon.com Services LLC. The recalled medication was manufactured in India and packaged in bottles containing 200, 500 or 1,000 caplets. Federal records identify the reason for the recall as consumer complaints involving discoloration of tablets, although the precise cause of the discoloration has not been publicly established. The largest portion of the recall involves 500-count bottles, accounting for 90,456 of the affected containers. Another 14,640 bottles contain 200 tablets each, while 7,836 bottles contain 1,000 tablets. Together, the recalled products represent more than 56 million individual caplets potentially distributed to American consumers. For Amazon customers who purchase medications in larger quantities to maintain household supplies, the recall carries particular significance because the affected products have expiration dates extending into 2027 and 2028. Bottles purchased previously may remain unopened or stored alongside other medications, making a review of existing household supplies especially important. The affected 200-count bottles carry National Drug Code 72288-692-20 and Universal Product Code 195515048873. The recalled manufacturing lot is ACD125040A, with an expiration date of September 30, 2027. For the 500-count bottles, the National Drug Code is 72288-692-50 and the Universal Product Code is 195515048903. Five manufacturing lots are included in the recall. Lots ACD124036A and ACD124030A have expiration dates of September 30, 2027. Lot ACD124042A expires October 31, 2027, while lot ACD124048B expires November 30, 2027. Lot ACD125010A carries an expiration date of February 29, 2028. The recalled 1,000-count bottles are identified by National Drug Code 72288-692-01 and Universal Product Code 195515048880. The affected manufacturing lot is ACD124048A, with an expiration date of November 30, 2027. Consumers can generally locate manufacturing lot numbers and expiration dates printed on medication packaging or bottle labels. These

identifiers are essential because the recall does not extend to every bottle of acetaminophen sold through Amazon, nor does it apply to all medications containing the same active ingredient. As of the FDA's early October enforcement reporting, the recall had not received a formal health-risk classification. Federal regulators had not publicly identified the substance or manufacturing condition responsible for the discoloration, and the available recall information did not establish confirmed injuries or illnesses associated with the affected medication. Discoloration can indicate a potential problem with a pharmaceutical product's appearance, composition or manufacturing quality. However, a change in tablet color does not independently establish contamination or determine whether the medication has lost its effectiveness. Laboratory examination and manufacturing investigations are necessary to identify the underlying cause. The current recall follows another acetaminophen recall involving Aurobindo Pharma USA and Amazon-distributed medication in

2025. That earlier action, initiated May 22, 2025, involved approximately 4,608 bottles of 325-milligram acetaminophen tablets packaged in 100-count containers. Consumer complaints concerning brown discoloration on tablet surfaces prompted the earlier recall, which received an FDA Class II classification. A Class II recall generally involves products that may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, with the probability of serious adverse consequences considered remote. The earlier recall involved a different acetaminophen strength, manufacturing lot and expiration date. Federal information available regarding the current recall does not establish whether the two incidents share a manufacturing or quality-control cause. Amazon has acknowledged coordinating the latest recall with the manufacturer and federal regulators. The company distributes numerous over-the-counter medications through its online marketplace, allowing customers to purchase household pain relievers in quanti-

ties considerably larger than those commonly stocked in neighborhood pharmacies. Amazon Prime membership does not determine whether a consumer is affected. The relevant factors are the specific medication purchased and whether the bottle carries one of the identified manufacturing lot numbers. Customers who purchased the product without Prime membership should conduct the same inspection. Consumers possessing an affected bottle should discontinue using that medication and keep it separate from other household medicines. Amazon customers can review their previous purchases through their account order history and contact customer service regarding available return or refund procedures. A pharmacist or healthcare professional can assist with questions about replacement medication or concerns following previous use. Individuals who have experienced unexpected symptoms after taking medication included in the recall should seek medical guidance. Suspected adverse reactions or product-quality problems may also be reported through the FDA's MedWatch safety reporting program. Acetaminophen remains one of the most commonly used nonprescription medications in the United States. When taken according to labeling instructions, it provides relief from pain and fever, but excessive doses can cause severe liver injury. Consumers replacing recalled medication should continue following package directions and avoid unintentionally combining multiple products containing acetaminophen. The nationwide recall does not constitute a general warning against acetaminophen or other properly manufactured pain relievers. Its scope remains limited to the seven identified lots of Amazon-branded 500-milligram Extra Strength Acetaminophen. With millions of American households purchasing medications online and storing larger bottles for extended periods, the affected expiration dates make the recall relevant well beyond the original purchase period. Amazon customers and Prime members who keep extra-strength pain medication in bathroom cabinets, kitchen cupboards, travel bags or emergency supplies should examine those containers for the recalled lot numbers before taking another dose.

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

THE SOUTHERN OREGON GOVERNMENT WATCH EDITORIAL BY JAY MEREDITH, CPA | INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST

The Universal Health Plan Report Could Be Considered an October Surprise for Governor Kotek IT’S POTENTIALLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST pending state tax increases in memory in Oregon. It will likely be front and center in the legislature beginning in the state’s 2027 Legislative Session. It has the potential to almost double the amount of state taxes we pay in Oregon, while Oregon already has one of the highest income tax burdens across states in the US. And it’s not even being discussed in earnest in Oregon’s gubernatorial campaigns. It wasn’t even discussed in the one and only gubernatorial debate that was hosted in Southern Oregon last week. That needs to change and is beginning to change thanks in part to Josephine County’s State Representative Dwayne Yunker blowing the whistle in the last two weeks. Anecdotally, representative Yunker isn’t well liked in Salem and doesn’t command a lot of attention among members of the state legislature. Being on the far side of the minority party in Salem doesn’t win you many friends. But Yunker makes a very good point in that this issue should not be buried ahead of elections next month. Oregon Senate Bill 1089, signed into law in August 2023, established the 9-member Universal Health Plan Governance Board within the Department of Consumer and Business Services to design a publicly funded, single-payer health care system for all state residents. By law, this board was required to submit its final comprehensive implementation and financing plan to the Governor and the Oregon Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2026, for consideration during the 2027 legislative session. The Universal Health Plan Governance Board missed their September 15, 2026, legal deadline. Yunker and others believe the report is late because of the pending General Election next month. It has been suggested that this single-payer health care plan would be so expensive for many Oregonians that it could shift next month’s voting results, directing votes away from Democratic Party candidates because the Democratic Party generally supports the concept of a universal health care plan. Democrats, having party control of the Oregon legislature for longer than most of us can remember, clearly are in favor of pushing the concept forward due to the passage of SB 1089 a few years ago. But after Representative Yunker raised the flag about the Board’s illegal delinquency last month, a draft report dated October 5, 2026, was just released and made public. This plan would indeed be so costly that this report could be considered a negative October surprise for Governor Kotek and any Democrat Party candidates for the state legislature. It should be noted that the state commissioned an “Expenditure Analysis for the Oregon Universal Health Plan.” This report was done by the actuarial firm Milliman, and this report was completed and dated all the way back on April 3, 2026. For the cost report being released all the way back in April, this does have a feel of a political operation that wanted to bury the results until after the November General Election. The headline summary results in the Milliman cost study are staggering, with an assumption that the universal health care plan could be implemented as soon as 2032. The annual costs to cover Oregon’s entire population beginning in 2032 have an estimated range of

$71.2 Billion to $86.4 Billion per year under the “Low Cost Sharing Plan.” Assuming a state population of 4.3 million, that would cost about $16,500 to $20,000 per year for every man, woman, and child in Oregon. In other words, this could cost as much as $80,000 per year for a family of four. Milliman’s summary results show that the annual costs to cover Oregon’s entire population beginning in 2032 under the “Zero Cost Sharing Plan” have an estimated range of $77.4 Billion to $94.0 Billion per year. Again, assuming a state population of 4.3 million, that would cost about $18,000 to $21,800 per year for every man, woman, and child in Oregon. In other words, the zero cost sharing plan could cost as much as $87,000 per year for a family of four. Oregon’s average household income has recently been reported to be approximately $111,000 per year. Adjusting for several years of inflation ahead to get to the year 2032 when the Universal Health Care Plan might begin, this means that the average family of four would have to spend the equivalent of almost 65% of their income on healthcare costs, if those costs were evenly distributed per capita. If we adjust the calculation to assume Oregon’s average household size of 2.42 and again use average household income, the average household would be paying healthcare taxes/premiums equivalent to about $43,500 per year or about 33% of the average Oregonian household’s income would go towards Universal Health Care Plan costs. I think it’s fair to say that unaffordable is an understatement for this proposed plan. Any elected official or candidate that sees these projected costs and projected tax increases

and still supports the concept of a single-payer health care system should be treated with the highest amount of skepticism, in my opinion. There are many reasons no state in the US has yet adopted a single-payer health care system. And Oregon should not be the guinea pig. There are reasons why the US has some of the best medical programs and attracts some of the best and brightest doctors from across the world. This is because much of our healthcare is NOT run by the government. If you think waiting times to see your doctor are bad now, wait until the government runs most of our healthcare systems. Governor Kotek has expressed skepticism about the Universal Health Care Plan, but she did sign the bill to move this plan forward. And generally speaking, the Democrat Party wants more control over health care operations and regulations (and more money to be put towards the existing Oregon Health Plans). Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan does not support a universal healthcare plan or government-run healthcare systems. And most Republican candidates don’t support universal health care concepts, for obvious reasons. The draft Oregon Universal Health Plan Governance Board report dated October 5, 2026, suggests that after other estimated healthcare revenues such as Federal revenues, the state would have to implement new taxes of between $26.8 Billion and $38.3 Billion per year. In other words, per capita taxes would go up by between $6,000 and $9,000 per year in order to implement this plan. The draft report offers a wide variety of suggested tax increases to both personal taxes and different types of business taxes. But as

many businesses have to pass on tax increases to consumers, I think showing the effect per capita is a better way to analyze the real cost impact. What do you think, would you like to pay $6,000 to $9,000 more per year to have a single-payer health plan in Oregon? Surprisingly, the October 5th report states that “First, the modeling shows that a universal health plan is feasible.” And the report also concludes that “Funding must be progressive” and “Funding must come from a broad base.” So, taxing the rich and burdening the Oregonians that make higher incomes would likely be one of the main themes when the legislature tries to figure out how to pay for this. In my opinion, based on the amount of new taxes that would need to be raised, this would drive many more financially successful individuals and businesses out of Oregon, making the budgets for government healthcare and other government services even more out of balance. Of course, given no US State has implemented universal healthcare at this point, projections and estimates are just that and may not be accurate. But given businesses and individuals are more mobile than they were decades ago, my personal opinion is that the 2027 legislature should accept the final report from the Board and immediately cease moving forward with studying universal health care. Unlike businesses that often have a first mover advantage, in government there is more commonly the first mover disadvantage. I personally see this as a slow-moving train wreck if Oregon were to stay on pace to potentially become the first state in the union to attempt universal health care. There are plenty of examples around the world that show the higher and more progressive the taxes, the more successful businesses and individuals move out of that tax jurisdiction. Governor Kotek should signal that this plan should be halted next year, otherwise consider this a negative October surprise for Kotek and vote accordingly. While various political polls show a close race between gubernatorial candidates Kotek and Drazan, the real odds makers, or the dollars spent in prediction markets are showing close to a 76% chance of Kotek winning. If word about this October surprise spreads, Kotek could see her lead decline significantly. One of Kotek’s core campaign promises is making life “more affordable,” and it appears universal healthcare would produce the opposite of affordable for many.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

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Dustin Calvo

From page 3 In my first year of a new term, I would document the current controls and establish measurable targets: reconciliations completed and reviewed on time, payment and account changes independently verified, access rights reviewed regularly, exceptions resolved within defined periods, and at least one tested recovery exercise. I would report progress and material findings in a way the public can evaluate without publishing details that would help someone defeat the safeguards.” Oliver, Bonus Question 8: If you received $25,000 from Josephine County under a contract, failed to fulfill your contractual obligations and knew that you were required to repay the money, how would you justify refusing to do so while asking voters to entrust you with the county treasury? What steps would you take to resolve the debt, and what standard of financial accountability should voters expect from you when your personal interests conflict with your obligations to taxpayers? Dustin Calvo: “I respectfully decline to answer Bonus Question 8 because it direct-

ly concerns my opponent and is not pertinent to my campaign. I am committed to running a campaign that highlights my merits and character and not any real or perceived deficits of my opponent. I appreciate the opportunity to answer questions about my qualifications, how I would manage the county treasury, and the standards of accountability I would bring to the office.” Calvo’s opponent, Simon Hare, did not respond to the October 9 deadline. His nonresponse leaves readers without his answers about the accounting practices, investment decisions, tax administration and financial safeguards he would bring to the office. Hare’s unanswered response also leaves Tribune’s questions about his unresolved $25,000 budget officer contract payment unaddressed. The newspaper has previously reported that Hare received the payment for a 2025 budget assignment he left before completing. The bonus question gave both candidates an opportunity to address personal financial accountability involving county money; Calvo declined to discuss his opponent, while Hare submitted no response.

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026