Our Local Issues
Workforce Housing: we need homes that our working class citizens can afford to purchase. The median income per capita for Josephine County is $32,159.00 (2022) and our current median owner occupied dwelling is $353,800.00 (2022). For example only, a household income of $70,000.00 with only $500.00 in monthly obligations can only afford to purchase a $211,000 home if they put $30,000.00 down. How many young, struggling couples have $30,000 saved up?
Supporting affordable housing in Josephine County is crucial for the well-being of our working-class citizens. Currently, there is a … READ MORE
Homelessness: As we all can see by just driving through Grants Pass, Josephine County has a homeless issue. I know there are variables outside our control that perpetuate this condition we find ourselves in, but there is something we can do to mitigate it. Our predicament of homelessness persists as a persistent stain on our collective conscience. It’s an issue that demands more than just financial band-aids; it requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach if we genuinely aim to address it effectively. Merely throwing money at the problem in the hopes of a quick fix is not only ineffective but also wasteful.
One crucial aspect of tackling homelessness is … READ MORE
Local Economy – We have some great minds here in Josephine County and it’s time we brought them together and build our economy. I have been pitched many ideas for businesses that we could focus our efforts on that will boost are economic growth. We have the brains, the drive, and the resources to make the needed changes to our economic status, we just need leaders who can bring it all together. If we invest just a little… READ MORE
Law Enforcement: We need adequate Law Enforcement. This can be accomplished with additional Sheriff’s patrol deputies and Sheriff detectives. The law enforcement service district that passed in November will do just that. This district will increase the safety and security of our communities even though it is not going to give us the level of service I would like to see. At least we now have a great foundation to build our sheriff’s department into a service that all the citizens will benefit from. When we provide a safe and secure environment, businesses, residents, and visitors can all thrive in our county!
Here is an excerpt from … READ MORE
Fire district(s) for unprotected/under served areas – Since I have been back to my hometown of Grants Pass, I have been involved with the fire service delivery in all of Josephine County. I have worked with citizen groups to get a fire district formed to cover the 350 square miles of Josephine County that has been covered by private fire service providers for over 50 years. I worked on the Yes on Fire District campaign in 2021 and I was elected to the fire board for the district that was not formed. I have been advocating for a district and working with small groups to find a solution to the lack of a fire district for this area ever since then. READ MORE
Measure 110 and its effects on Josephine County – The following is taken from an August 29th report by KGW8 NBC, “A survey by Emerson College Polling found 56% of voters want the drug decriminalization and treatment measure repealed completely. Emerson surveyed 1,000 Oregon registered voters over the course of two days earlier this month using phone calls, emails and an online panel. The margin of error was plus or minus 3%.”
I have to agree, measure 110 has not … READ MORE
Vote Mark Jones for County Commissioner on May 21st, 2024