Oregon: Clackamas County Commissioner claims recall petition is factually inaccurate

Clackamas County Commissioner Jim Bernard is claiming that the recall petition filed against him by a former Oregon City Commissioner (and failed candidate for the County Commission) is factually inaccurate.

The petitioner, Dan Holladay, claims that Bernard had a conflict of interest in a light rail extension, which will travel past Bernard's business. Petitioner also claims that Bernard is using his position to benefit his wife, the country's tourism director. They are also claiming that Bernard did not cooperate in an ethics investigation (which Bernard claims is demonstrably false).

The clock has started to tick on the recall, but because Holladay has not filed campaign finance papers, he can't collect signatures. Bernard cannot formally protest the petition until the papers are filed. Note also:

State elections policies require factually accurate statements in recall petitions. The form warns petitioners they face a felony conviction, a fine of up to $125,000 and/or prison for up to 5 years if they supply false information.