CURRY COUNTY, Ore. — The Curry County Board of Commissioners has taken legal action against Sheriff John Ward in an effort to resolve ongoing disputes over their roles and responsibilities within the county’s government.
In a press release, Commissioners Brad Alcorn, Patrick Hollinger, and Jay Trost announced they are filing a declaratory judgment lawsuit to bring clarity to their relationship with the sheriff. The lawsuit comes after what the commissioners describe as long-standing disagreements that have yet to be resolved.
The board expressed frustration over the sheriff’s office’s failure to meet multiple requests for cooperation, information, and records. Despite repeated appeals for transparency and collaboration, the commissioners say these requests were not “satisfactorily fulfilled,” prompting the decision to seek legal intervention.
“Filing this suit is a last resort,” the commissioners said in the statement. “We have made every effort to address our concerns and work together in the best interest of the county, but we have been left with no choice but to seek legal clarification.”
The lawsuit aims to settle the legal boundaries of authority between the commissioners and the sheriff, which have been the source of contention. The commissioners emphasized their desire to resolve the matter without protracted litigation, but made it clear that the issue must be addressed for the sake of effective governance in the county.
As of now, Sheriff Ward has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. The outcome of the legal proceedings is expected to have significant implications for the county’s governance and the division of responsibilities between the elected officials.