Before we get to leaders generally, let’s talk about you leading you. Individual self-government is the foundation of all governmental units in society. I begin with self-government because without people controlling themselves, there will either be anarchy or tyranny. If all of us first pay attention to governing ourselves, then other forms of government in society will be just. Most …
For many decades, Riverside Park has been the gem of the Grants Pass parks system. Now Riverside Park is known as a haven for homeless people sleeping overnight on park benches and tents, questionable bathrooms and drug users who leave needles on the ground. Many moms don’t feel safe taking their kids to Riverside Park because of this situation. Unfortunately, …
Following the recent student walkout at Grants Pass High School and North Middle School, District 7 Board Member Gary Richardson said, “The school district becomes the parent when a child is dropped off at school or climbs into a school bus.” This was a reference to the doctrine of in loco parentis, which is the Latin phrase meaning “in place …
In 2012, the Oregon Constitution was amended to eliminate an elected Chief of Public Instruction and put that authority directly in the governor’s office. Gov. Kate Brown has been Oregon governor since 2015. Gov. Brown has taken many actions that have undermined the public’s trust in public schooling while simultaneously causing many Oregon parents to consider homeschooling. In 2016, she …
By Richard Emmons “You were fired but not for misconduct with work.” Thus read the Oct. 28, 2021, legal conclusion of the Oregon Employment Department in its ruling for Katie Medart’s unemployment claim against the Grants Pass School District 7. Rachel Damiano’s unemployment claim against District 7 was denied on Aug. 9, 2021. However, on Oct. 8, that denial was …
By Teacher X Editor’s note: The Eagle posed the following questions to a Grants Pass area teacher we are calling “Teacher X.” He or she is not sharing any information that isn’t public but hopes to give clarification and focus to current issues facing students and staff in the public schools. Describe the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on teacher and …
By Richard Emmons My family has gone without health insurance for 17 of the 23 years we’ve lived in Oregon. Did I worry about this? Not at all. Instead of traditional health insurance, we have been members of Samaritan Ministries, a health care sharing program. Each month we get the name and address of a Samaritan Ministries member who has …
Yesterday evening, I witnessed hundreds of healthcare workers peacefully publicly protest outside Providence LATER Hospital in Medford. They were supported by friends and family members along with motorcycle groups and lots of decorated pickups. They got a horn blast by a passing fire engine and one public transportation bus. Unlike the professional protesters in Portland last summer, these folks held …
By Richard Emmons Josephine County Eagle, July 29, 2021 Yesterday, the Three Rivers School District board held its last meeting before the start of school in September. The room was setup for 35 members of the community and every seat was filled. There were another 40 more people outside. The meeting was led by board chair Jennifer Johnstun. She announced …
On Thursday, July 15, I had a front-row seat at the four-hour Grants Pass School District 7 termination hearings for North Middle School Assistant Principal Rachel Damiano and science teacher Katie Medart, who were put on leave earlier this year after recording a video in support of the I Resolve movement, which offers alternatives to “transgender equity” policies in schools. …