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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Tuesday Commissioner's apology for text incident doesn't sway family Since You Asked: State requires headlight use in bad weather Emergency Services Kitchenware, sheets would ease stress of starting over for mom and son Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank Police still hunting for third suspect tied to bomb threats, high speed chase Josephine County scrambles to house juvenile offenders Emergency Services Politics and Elections State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means Education Ruch school class focuses on the natural environment Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Environment Biologist resigns over LNG reporting failure Bird flu discovered in Winston backyard flock Jackson County holds back on enforcing GMO ban for now No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline State News Oregon to step up water quality checks on farms Questions remain in death of Oklahoma teen Impostor makes off with Salvation Army donations in Corvallis, Albany Faith-healing couple sentenced to 10 years for death of diabetic daughter Uber suspends operations in Portland for 3 months Nation - World Obama makes Maduro’s ‘insolent Yankees’ line harder to sell Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Emile Victor Caloz Donna J. 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Former Ashland student saves surfer from pounding waves ... Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank ... Our View: One more try for Josephine safety levy ... Former Ashland student saves surfer from pounding waves ... Man wearing fake beard robs Medford bank ... GRANTS PASS Commissioner's apology for text incident doesn't sway family Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Dec. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Dec. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News GRANTS PASS — The main recipient of a public apology from Josephine County Commissioner Simon Hare is not impressed. "It seemed definitely to appeal to the public if you ask me," said Doug Deakins. Hare sent an email to multiple recipients on Saturday, apologizing for his behavior the night of Dec. 5 at the Cedarwood Saloon. That night Hare sent two suggestive text messages from a cellphone belonging to Stefani Deakins, the wife of Doug Deakins. Hare said the thought the phone belonged to a friend of his. Hare did not know who would receive the texts. The recipients were the Deakins' 18-year-old daughter and 21-year-old niece. Last Wednesday, Deakins, a Grants Pass resident who works as a helicopter pilot with Swanson Aviation, attended a public meeting and chastised Hare for his behavior. Later that day, Hare told the Daily Courier that he apologized to Deakins the night of the incident. However, both Doug and Stefani Deakins dispute that and said that Hare was belligerent rather than apologetic. Hare said he thought the cellphone belonged to his friend, Jennifer Putnam, who was a the same table as the Deakinses, and he thought he was pulling a prank on Putnam. Putnam supported Hare's contention that he apologized that night. After Doug Deakins made his public comments at Wednesday's meeting, Hare left messages and sent texts to Stefani Deakins asking to meet with her and Doug Deakins, but they declined. On Monday, Doug Deakins told the Daily Courier that Hare sent him an apology on Friday via text. That text also stated Hare would be willing to meet with Deakins in person. Deakins said that he thanked Hare for the apology by replying to the text. In the same text, Deakins said he told Hare to contact him if he actually wanted to meet. "He has not contacted me," Deakins said. Hare is out of his office for two weeks and did not immediately return a message left on his cellphone. The controversy has sparked other outrage throughout the community. Members of a local organization called We're For a Constitutional Government are calling for Hare to resign. "We're not going to organize or initiate a formal campaign, but we wanted to alert the public," said Jim Rafferty, a spokesman of the group. He also said Hare would be doing the right thing by resigning. Meanwhile, Wolfgang Nebmaier, a frequent critic of all three commissioners, and Hare in particular, said Hare's apology adds insult to injury and really isn't an apology at all. In Hare's lengthy apology, he said he is "sorry that this 'personal issue' was made very public and in some cases construed into something very far from the truth." Hare also wrote, "When I was made aware of how my stupid prank went terribly wrong I apologized. I will admit, I did not provide that apology in a way that was easily appreciated. I have since made amends with the family and I'm told that all has been understood to be a tragic mistake and everything has been forgiven." Monday morning, however, Doug Deakins said, "The apology seems to be about the text and not about the behavior of an elected official." Deakins added that he believes Hare's behavior is unbecoming of a public official. If Hare were to resign over the issue it would be alright with Deakins, but he won't initiate a recall effort. Reach Grants Pass Daily Courier reporter Jim Moore at 541-474-3721 or [email protected] By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Dec. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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