Signers of the letter include former State Representative from Medford Al Densmore, former County Commissioners Bob Strosser and Dave Gilmour and former Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler. Wheeler says that the County Commissioners need to show leadership on the issue.
“Well I think they should just step forward and endorse the vaccine, says Wheeler. “Make sure everybody gets the vaccine. Set an example, show a united front.”
The letter writers say that the commissioners have not endorsed vaccines or basic preventative health measures. They also warn that already, medical staff in the region are burning out. The letter says businesses may be affected when sick employees, many of whom are unvaccinated, must take weeks off of work. Schools may close if students under 12, who cannot get vaccinated, get sick from unvaccinated relatives, the letter said.
The other signatories of the open letter were:
Former County Commissioners Peter Sage and Tam Moore
Former Medford Mayor Lindsey Berryman
Talent Mayor Darby Ayers-Flood
Former Central Point Mayor Bill Walton
Former Jacksonville Mayor Jim Lewis
Former Ashland Mayor Cathy Shaw
Medford City Councilmembers Sarah Spansail and Kevin Stine
Ashland City Councilmember Tonya Graham,
Central Point City Councilmember Neil Olsen, M.D.
Jacksonville City Councilmember Mike McClain
Talent City Councilmembers Eleanor Ponomareff, Ana Byers, Derek Volkart and Jason Clark
The letter comes as Jackson County hits a record high number of COVID cases on Wednesday, reporting over 600 new cases.
Commissioners Dave Dotterrer and Colleen Roberts did not return calls for comment.
