Alice Vachss Shares Her Thoughts on the DA Staffing Crisis скачать в хорошем качестве

Alice Vachss Shares Her Thoughts on the DA Staffing Crisis

Alice Vachss, a Lincoln County voter and nationally recognized expert in sex-crimes prosecution, explains why she believes County Commissioner Claire Hall should be recalled. She emphasizes that she is speaking only as a concerned citizen, not a political opponent, and notes that her criticism is based on Hall’s actions in office, not personal interactions. Vachss describes a pattern in which Hall responds to criticism defensively, concentrates decision-making power, limits public participation, and authorizes costly internal disputes. She links these governance issues to long-standing problems in the District Attorney’s Office, including chronic understaffing driven by low pay and high housing costs. She argues Hall misunderstood the proper role of commissioner oversight and improperly interfered with prosecutorial independence, contributing to ongoing conflict with both former DA Laney Danforth and current DA Jenna Wallace. Vachss concludes that these actions have real consequences for public safety, victims, and public trust—and should be evaluated by voters accordingly. She published this letter in the Lincoln Chronicle on December 31, 2025: ----- To the editor: I do not want an elected leader who: • Treats those who disagree as enemies; • Gaslights the public; • Retaliates against criticism; • Uses name-calling as a political strategy; • Wastes our money on baseless investigations; • Disrespects an independent criminal justice system; • Uses public funds to exile dissidents; • Arbitrarily ends and exits meetings; • Limits public comment; • Doesn’t listen and doesn’t care; and • Calls me MAGA when I sign a recall petition. — Alice Vachss/Newport ----- Published at https://lincolnchronicle.org/11-reasons-wh... Biography Alice Vachss is a retired attorney and nationally recognized expert in sex-crimes prosecution. From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a special prosecutor for sex crimes in the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, assisting during periods of chronic understaffing. Her legal career also included senior roles in major urban prosecutor offices and extensive national and international work on criminal justice issues. Now a longtime resident of Newport, Oregon, Vachss is an engaged community member who closely follows local governance and public accountability. She believes local government should operate transparently, professionally, and within the rule of law, with clear respect for independent institutions. Known for speaking plainly and avoiding partisan framing, she focuses on how government decisions affect public safety, victims, and everyday residents. Her civic involvement reflects a commitment to informed voters, constructive dialogue, and leadership that listens to the community it serves. She is the author of Sex Crimes: Then and Now (Random House, 1993).