Muzzling Citizens: Yamhill County Shuts Out the Public

Last week, the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners approved six Measure 37 claims without any notice to neighbors, no public hearing and no chance for the public to be heard.

"This is a sad day for Oregonians," said Bob Stacey, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon. "Community planning was built on citizen involvement, but now, under Measure 37, the citizens of Yamhill County have no chance to be heard. Land use rules guarantee citizens a seat at the table, but Measure 37 instead shows them the door."

Without a chance for public testimony, the Commissioners were unable to hear competing views on the validity of the claims or on the planning director's recommendations to the board. Moreover, planning department staff reports were only issued 72 hours prior to action by the Board of Commissioners.

"This can't be Oregon," said Merilyn Reeves, President of Friends of Yamhill County, "Yamhill County residents suddenly cannot talk to our county officials about Measure 37 claims. There is no notice to neighbors and no hearing where neighbors and taxpayers get to tell their side of the story. This is anything but fair."

This is the beginning of a series of Measure 37 decisions in Yamhill County, with several more applications currently pending and dozens more anticipated by county planning staff.

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