Water District’s Turmoil Deepens

The Blue River Water District remains unable to conduct official business as disputes continue to paralyze local governance.

With only two active members – Chairman Jim Parks and Secretary/Treasurer Shannon Goodpasture-Lehr – the board lacks the quorum needed to make decisions or approve spending. At an informational meeting last Wednesday, Parks and Goodpasture-Lehr updated residents on infrastructure work, financial strains, and the district’s leadership challenges.

Parks said Commissioner Joshua Cloke refuses to attend meetings until Tony Casad, a recalled former member, is recognized. Parks maintains Casad is ineligible to serve, citing failure to prove full-time residency within the district. “We gave Mr. Casad ten days to provide proof, but he did not comply,” Parks said.

Without a quorum, the board cannot pay bills or fill vacancies. Parks and Goodpasture-Lehr said they will ask the Lane County Board of Commissioners to appoint temporary members under ORS 198.320, which allows county action when a special district falls below quorum.

Cloke and Casad strongly dispute those claims. In a letter dated October 26, Cloke accused district leaders of violating state law, withholding records, and calling police to meetings “to intimidate or silence” dissenting members.

Casad, in a separate letter, alleged “misinformation, procedural violations, and financial mismanagement.” He said Lane County Elections has certified four commissioners – not two – and argued Oregon law requires only that board members be electors of the district, not full-time residents. Casad also accused Goodpasture-Lehr of unauthorized withdrawals from district accounts and Parks of using district water for personal irrigation – allegations both officers have not yet publicly addressed.

Goodpasture-Lehr said several invoices remain unpaid and that a temporary freeze on district funds has been resolved. Despite the stalemate, Parks said contractors continue water line replacement work and that water service will not be interrupted.

“Our priority is to restore lawful governance so we can keep serving the community,” Parks said.