If you live within the Madras Aquatic Center (MAC) Recreation District and have not yet registered to vote — or need to update your registration — today, Tuesday, July 14, is your last chance. Ballots in the special recall election are scheduled to be mailed beginning Wednesday, July 15, with Election Day set for August 4.

The recall effort targets four of the five sitting MAC Recreation District board members: Chair Ervey Dominguez, Vice-Chair Jean McCloskey, Secretary/Treasurer Jinnell Lewis, and board member Frank Maynard. Board member Kora Hollyman is not part of the recall.

How It Got Here

The push began in March when taxpayer and chief petitioner Nikki Carson, frustrated by what she saw as mismanagement and reduced public access to the pool, began organizing the community. After more than a year of attending board meetings, she launched a formal recall campaign that ultimately collected over 1,000 petition signatures — well above the threshold needed to trigger a special election.

"I don’t see them making any attempts at trying to make it a full-time operating pool," Carson told the Madras Pioneer. "What really took me was the budget, when all that came about — that really is what opened my eyes."

The concerns she cited include reduced operating hours, a temporary pool closure during the summer of 2025, a 2025 budget approved without sufficient votes (which led to a lawsuit later dismissed on procedural grounds), and what some community members described as a lack of responsiveness at public meetings.

What the Board Members Say

All four board members facing recall have submitted statements of justification to the Jefferson County Clerk’s office. Their responses vary in tone but share a common thread: each defends their record as fiscally responsible under difficult circumstances.

  • Jean McCloskey acknowledged the budget vote procedural issue but noted the Oregon Department of Revenue did not require the process to be redone. She emphasized her background as a former county assessor and her commitment to fiduciary duty.
  • Jinnell Lewis cited nearly 12 years of board service and completed Special Districts Association of Oregon training, saying she remains "dedicated to the future of the district."
  • Frank Maynard wrote: "I have violated no laws or ethical complaints. The MACRD has a sustainable budget and retained key personnel."
  • Ervey Dominguez stated he has acted "in a fiscally responsible and thoughtful manner" and made decisions "in good faith" based on what is best for the district and the broader community.

What Happens Next

Ballots will be mailed to eligible district voters starting July 15. Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on August 4. Voters can also use the Jefferson County 24-hour drop box locations.

Voters who need to check their registration status or update their address can do so online at oregonvotes.gov before midnight tonight.

Carson said the goal was never personal. "It’s OK if we don’t all agree. The whole point of this election for me was so that it would give people that opportunity to have their voice heard for our community," she said.