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McManus leaves Talent council E.J. McManus Wednesday Nov 16, 2016 at 6:44 PM By Tony Boom For the Tidings City Councilor E.J. McManus, who was elected to Talent City Council for a third time Nov. 8, has resigned. McManus, who served on the body since 2005, is moving to Medford. “I’ve always appreciated his genuine dedication to our community. His service has been consistent and level-headed and kind,” said Mayor Darby Stricker. “His intentions were always solid. He never set a personal agenda and always had his heart in our community.” McManus was initially appointed to fill the remaining two years of a vacated seat in 2006. He was elected to a four-year term in 2008. After he was apprehended for driving while suspended in 2012, McManus retained his position on a split council vote. McManus won re-election to another four-year term that November. McManus has been involved in many efforts that have benefitted children, the arts and parks, said Stricker. The councilman used his background in financial management to help guide the city as it faced economic challenges. “We were able to keep our ship afloat, even when we went through staff changes in the recession,” said McManus. “From a policy standpoint, I wanted to make sure that staff was providing recommendations for the longer term.” A recent change to have water rates increased annually, if warranted, is an example of such a long-term approach, he said. McManus said he was glad to help support the arts in Talent. He also enjoyed serving as a city liaison to the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. and other regional groups. Stricker will ask the council to suspend reappointment procedures until after the first of the year, because anyone appointed to the vacancy before then would serve only until Dec. 31. An appointee to the position next year would serve through December 2018. — Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]