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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Officers kill California murder suspect on I-5 ... Oregon House approves bill making schools publish vaccine rates ... 'He holds the key' ... Officers kill California murder suspect on I-5 ... Oregon House approves bill making schools publish vaccine rates ... 'He holds the key' ... GRANTS PASS County critic, commissioner file complaints against each other Comment By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 4:37 PM By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 4:37 PM » Social News A confrontation between government critic Dale Matthews and Josephine County Commissioner Keith Heck has resulted in accusations of assault and verbal harassment. Who is at fault depends on who is telling the story. Both men talked to Grants Pass police after the confrontation, which occurred after a Board of Commissioners business meeting Wednesday at the Anne Basker Auditorium. Matthews claims Heck physically assaulted him just inside the front doors of the building. Heck denies the charge and said he filed his own complaint because he's tired of being harassed by Matthews at meetings. "In everyday English, I call that assault," Matthews said. "He pushed me through the doors." "I definitely didn't initiate anything with Mr. Matthews," Heck said. "People who like to live in a fantasy world can develop any kind of stories they want." It's the latest clash between county commissioners and Matthews, a videoblogger and failed candidate for the Board of Commissioners who runs a website called badcounty.com. Matthews frequently voices objections over a variety of issues at commissioner meetings. He and commission Chairwoman Cherryl Walker had several contentious verbal exchanges last winter over Matthews' use of a video camera. Matthews said he confronted Heck and fellow Commissioner Simon Hare after Wednesday's meeting for what he called discussion of county business. At the time, the two commissioners were talking to Charles Chase, a deputy fire marshal with the Oregon State Police. The commission has three members, which means that a quorum may be represented whenever two of them meet. "I've seen this 100 times before," Matthews told the Daily Courier. "I said, 'Gentlemen, you're breaking the law.' " Matthews said the comment resulted in Heck following him up to the front of the building, where the confrontation occurred. Chase, the deputy fire marshal, said Heck got right in Matthews' face but did not touch him. In fact, Chase said he and Terri Wharton, recorder for the Board of Commissioners, put their hands on Matthews shoulders and advised him to leave, after the confrontation. "It was polite pressure. No shoving," Chase said. Chase said he told Heck and Hare he was retiring, then said, "I'm going to be an old man with time on my hands — consider me for a committee." That drew the reprimand from Matthews over public meeting laws. "I told him to lighten up, we're talking about my retirement," Chase said. "He's got every right to do what he does, just not in an informal situation, thinking he can still confront and harass," added Heck, a Marine veteran and former director of the Gospel Rescue Mission. "I think I have some personal rights as a citizen as well." Walker, the subject of a failed recall campaign, has clashed with Matthews more than a time or two. She said it's just an example of Matthews over-reacting. "That's what Dale does, any time we're within 3 feet of each other," Walker said. "He was accusing Keith and I two weeks ago of having a quorum and talking county business with (Grants Pass City Councilor) Mark Gatlin," Walker said. "It was after the evening meeting, and I had forgotten the combination to the door. We were laughing about that." Grants Pass Interim Police Chief Bill Landis confirmed that both men called police. "We treated it like any other complaint — assigned it to an officer and it's underway," Landis said. Reach reporter Jeff Duewel at 541-474-3720 or [email protected] By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 4:37 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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