Several residents addressed the Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 30, presenting documents they said show multiple Facebook pages registered under the name of Commissioner Chris Barnett and alleging the pages have published defamatory posts about private citizens.

"This document shows that all of these pages, every single one, are registered under the name of Chris Barnett," Vicky Palmerton said during public comment. "This isn't journalism. It's harassment dressed up as news." She told the board she would enter article printouts into the public record and asked the commissioners to disavow the posts and demand their removal.

Matt Spurlock later said he will submit roughly 30 documents that he said show articles from several pages he named and asserted the pages have published more than 300 articles that display pictures and allege misconduct by private citizens. He urged the board to require accountability and to call for a public apology.

Commissioner Bleck, who chaired the meeting, said he is not on social media and disavowed "any type of unsavory or inappropriate behavior against anybody," but added he could not speak for other commissioners. "I have no control over my colleagues again, and I am not on Facebook," Bleck said. "But I will disavow any type of behavior that attacks anybody." Commissioner Smith likewise asked for specific examples to help the board respond.

No formal action was taken at the meeting on the social-media allegations. Commissioners did not vote on a resolution or referral related to the pages during the session; speakers were invited to submit documents to the board office for review.

The controversy was a recurring theme of public comment and drew multiple speakers urging the board to clarify standards for public conduct by elected officials and for use of county-owned facilities for political purposes.