Sammie Nolan
IVN Contributing Writer
At the weekly business session June 5, former Josephine County Public Health Director for Josephine County Weber publicly addressed recent comments made by Commissioner Ron Smith in an interview with the Daily Courier, in which Smith suggested Weber was fired for financial mismanagement. Weber strongly refuted that claim, calling it “false, defamatory, and wildly irresponsible.”
According to Weber, the budget discrepancy at the center of the accusation stemmed from the fact that the Public Health Department had been operating for nearly a year without a finalized budget, despite repeated efforts by him and then-Director Sandy Novak to finalize one. Those efforts were reportedly blocked, particularly by former Commissioner West. When the discrepancy was eventually discovered, Weber stated he worked directly with state officials to ensure the missing funds would be reissued to the county. He said that the necessary documentation had been submitted weeks before his termination, but the acting finance director, Michael Sellers failed to act on it until after Weber was removed and the same official had appointed himself interim public health administrator.
Weber emphasized that at no point was he investigated, confronted, or asked to clarify any concerns before his termination.
In his closing remarks, Weber invited Commissioner Smith to reach out to him directly if he genuinely wanted to understand what occurred, but warned that continued public misstatements would leave him no choice but to pursue legal action to defend his reputation.
Weber, who was terminated April 1, as part of what county leadership described as a “reorganization of the county leadership structure.” Weber had a longstanding reputation for professionalism and integrity.
Weber’s dismissal came just months after an internal investigation upheld serious allegations of retaliation and bullying by former commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West, allegations that Weber and others had formally reported. The close timing of these events has led to speculation that the terminations of Weber and other department heads may have been retaliatory in nature.
Former county employee Trish House has since filed a federal lawsuit, alleging she was wrongfully terminated for speaking out against unethical conduct and supporting Weber in his complaint.
Commissioner Ron Smith wrote in an email to the Illinois Valley News, “We shook hands as gentlemen when we parted after the meeting. If I make a mistake, I’ll admit it, clear the air, and move forward with the intent to do better in the future.”