Daniel J. Mancuso
IVN staff
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners received a major makeover with the addition of two new commissioners Tuesday, Nov. 5 and the city of Cave Junction chose a new mayor.
Jesse Dugas was chosen by voters to become the next mayor of Cave Junction. Dugas received 55.31% (453 total votes) while Jean Ann Miles recorded 43.47% (356 total votes). Write-ins accounted for 10 votes (1.22%).
Miles still has two years left on her council term.
Council position two pitted incumbent Tina Casey Jones against newcomer Steven Strauss. Jones received 76% (416 total votes) while Strauss recorded 43.03% (321 votes). There were nine write-ins totalling 1.21%.
Jason Peters ran unopposed for position 4, which was left vacant by Jesse Dugas and received only 556 votes, nearly 300 less than the total mayoral vote, with 15 write-ins (2.63%).
Countywide more than 71% of voters participated which is up from the May primary that recorded only 39.39%.
Illinois Valley native Ron Smith’s fifth run was the charm. Smith, who now resides in Merlin, has a background with long legs in the Valley.
Smith showed strong support in the race besting Pat Fahey, patriarch of Southern Oregon Sanitation, well-known community leader and volunteer in the county. As of Nov. 7, the Josephine County Clerk’s office reported Smith as the commissioner-elect by 53.25% (22,108 votes) to 46.33% (19,235 votes) margin. There were 177 write-ins (0.43%).
In an email, Smith wrote that he has lived most of his life in the Valley and his commitment is to serve all of Josephine County, not just Grants Pass.
“My victory is a testament of what a team effort can accomplish when you have unity of spirit and goals. A team united in spirit and goals is the type of commissioner I desire to bring to the whole of our county,” Smith said.
Smith plans to work with all the people by holding regular town hall meetings in all the outlying county communities. “Listening and hearing what the people in our rural areas want and need from their county government, I hope to bring together a team united in spirit and goals for solving some of our most urgent and pressing issues.”
Smith said that he is going to protect the citizens from the government, adding, “That’s exactly what I plan to do as the people’s county commissioner.”
Being the gentleman he is, Pat Fahey stated, “I congratulate Ron and his fellow Republicans for running such a masterful closing campaign,” adding, “I wish Ron the best for his term as commissioner, may his term be calm and successful.”
Chris Barnett, in his first campaign, found himself on the top side of the vote against Colene Martin by a vote of 54.88% to 44.60%, (22,997 to 18,688 votes). Vote totals also included 217 write-in votes (0.52%).
Martin, via email, stated that she is honored by the trust her supporters placed in her.
“I want to wish the newly selected candidates the best and sincerely hope that when we look back in four years that they make decisions based on the best interest of the people of Josephine County,” added Martin.
Barnett didn’t respond to the paper’s request for comment.
Josephine County Treasurer Eve Arce lost to challenger Mark DeYoung.
DeYoung, part of the Josephine County Republican slate of candidates, won with 21,356 votes (54.90%) to Arce’s 17,403 votes (44.74%). Write-in votes accounted for 142 (0.37%).
DeYoung was thankful and related that he was thrilled and humbled to have been chosen to fulfill the role of treasurer.
DeYoung wrote in an email, “I believe it is important to fulfill my campaign promise of transparency by providing the proper support to the commissioners so they can make well-informed decisions. Furthermore, I will work to provide a seamless transition so that there are no service interruptions.”
It is DeYoung’s belief that his background and skills will protect and help grow Josephine County funds in a responsible way. “I want all voters and citizens of this amazing county to know that I appreciate deeply that serving as Josephine County Treasurer is a privilege and I won’t ever forget I am here to serve you.”
Arce wanted to thank all those who voted for and trusted her as treasurer. “I would like to thank all those who voted for me and trusted me in the last 12 years as the county treasurer for Josephine County. I’ve enjoyed my time as treasurer and look forward to finding another way to serve the citizens of Josephine County.”
Illinois Valley Soil and Water Conservation District elected three positions.
Zone 1: Voters elected Kathrine Mechling with 2885 votes, (97.60%) with 71 write-ins.
Zone 4: Zachary W Robinson 2515 votes (63.02%) and topped Janice I. Denney’s 1448 votes (36.28%) There were 28 write-ins (0.70%).
At Large 1: Matthew Robinson 2425 votes (64.87%)and bested Marcy J. Sowa who had 1281 votes (34.27%) There were 32 write-in votes (0.86).
Interestingly enough, both the Josephine County Democrats and Republicans were active in this election for nonpartisan races.
The Republican Party told the Illinois Valley News earlier this year that the party’s responsibility, quite simply, is to help Republicans get elected. Interestingly enough Mark DeYoung and his opponent Eve Arce are both Republicans and yet they actively endorsed DeYoung. The same could be said for Barnett who was endorsed by the Republicans, over his rival, Martin who is also a Republican.
The Democrats also approached this election cycle oddly. In the primary the Democrats said they don’t endorse candidates in a nonpartisan race regardless of their party affiliation. The same Democrats endorsed two Republicans and a quasi-Republican in the November general election.