On May 20th, at a BOC meeting in Brookings, Commissioner Hollinger read into the public record, information that he gathered from the Oregon State Sheriff's Association Executive Director, while the Director was speaking at the AOC commissioner college, doing a presentation on the History of the Sheriff's Office. Hollinger recorded the presentation and subsequent questions and answers without knowledge or permission of the Director and then mis-represented and mis-led the public with the information. OSSA responded to the Curry County BOC, see below. OSSA has asked me to share this with the public. OREGON STATE SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION PO Box 7468, Salem, OR 97303 | 503.364.4204 | www.oregonsheriffs.org JOIN . SERVE . PROTECT . Curry County Board of Commissioners 94235 Moore Street, Suite 122 Gold Beach, OR 97444 Dear Commissioners, We are writing on behalf of the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (OSSA) in response to the presentation made by Commissioner Patrick Hollinger to the Curry County Board of Commissioners on May 20, 2025. Commissioner Hollinger referenced and utilized content from a private training held during the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) conference. We must express serious concern regarding the nature and handling of this material. The training in question was not a public forum—it was a private session intended for educational purposes among county leaders. The presentation and its content were not recorded with the knowledge or consent of AOC leadership, OSSA, or the speakers involved, which appears to be a violation of Oregon law as discussed below. Commissioner Hollinger contacted Executive Director Svenson and asked if he could use the content and Svenson gave him permission to report on the answers to the questions that he asked. The subsequent use of that recording by a County Commissioner particularly in a public meeting, raises significant ethical and legal concerns and calls into question the Commissioner’s transparency and professionalism. More troubling is that the content from the OSSA presentation was taken out of context and used in a manner that appears to be designed to intentionally mislead the public. The information presented by OSSA was not specific to the situation in Curry County, nor was it intended to represent any official OSSA position regarding Curry County matters. Presenting it otherwise misrepresents the intent of the speakers and the broader message of the training. The use of this material to support a particular position within the county not only distorts the context but risks misleading the public and undermining constructive dialogue. It is critical to emphasize that OSSA’s role in presenting at the AOC conference was strictly educational. The organization did not take a stance—implicitly or explicitly—on any issue related to Curry County. To present our statements as such is inappropriate, unprofessional, and completely misaligned with OSSA’s intent. Additionally, we must bring attention to the manner in which the recording was obtained and used. Failing to provide notice to speakers or AOC leadership is contrary to expected standards of respect and cooperation among partners. Furthermore, the lack of notice before recording and using the material publicly appears to be a violation of ORS 165.540, section 6, which outlines Oregon's laws regarding the unlawful recording of communications. At best, the Commissioner’s actions were inappropriate and misleading, and at worst appear to have violated Oregon criminal laws. The longstanding partnership between OSSA and AOC is based on OREGON STATE SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION PO Box 7468, Salem, OR 97303 | 503.364.4204 | www.oregonsheriffs.org JOIN . SERVE . PROTECT . mutual respect, professionalism, and transparency. Actions like those taken by Commissioner Hollinger compromise that trust and jeopardize future collaboration. To be clear, OSSA does not have a position on the internal issues facing Curry County. The presentation given at the AOC conference was not directed at, nor relevant to, the specific dynamics or governance matters of your county. Any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate and misleading. We respectfully request that this be formally recognized by the Board of Commissioners and appropriately addressed in the public record. Sincerely, Tim Svenson Sheriff Mark Garton Executive Director President Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Oregon State Sheriffs' Association – Serving You Since 1916www.oregonsheriffs.orgJOIN.SERVE.PROTECT. BECOME AN OSSA MEMBER TODAY Individuals and businesses who want to support public safety across the State of Oregon may join the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association (OSSA), a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Your tax deductible dues and contributions support Oregon's 36 elected...