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1 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 Jacksonville woman suspected in uncle's death ... Proposed 200-room hotel on former Box R Ranch sidesteps the rules, state says ... Since You Asked: Friday last day for free Windows 10 upgrade ... Jacksonville woman suspected in uncle's death ... Proposed 200-room hotel on former Box R Ranch sidesteps the rules, state says ... Since You Asked: Friday last day for free Windows 10 upgrade ... OUR VIEW Our View: City manager is a full-time job Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The Medford City Council appears poised to hire Rob Patridge as its new city manager — although that is far from certain at this point. What is certain is this: If the council decides to approve the proposed contract with Patridge, it should make one change first. It should require that he step down as chairman of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Patridge, 47, is a former member of the same council that is considering hiring him, a former three-term state representative, an attorney for Pacific Retirement Services and now district attorney in Klamath County. While running that office, he also serves as OLCC chairman, an unpaid, appointed position that requires him to spend one or two days a month in Salem for meetings. Despite that distinguished resume, what he has never been is a city manager. The usual path for someone who wants to be a city manager is a graduate degree in public administration followed by a series of positions in local government, as a department head or as an assistant or deputy city manager, and eventually the top job — effectively the CEO of a multi-million dollar operation. Still, Patridge says he has what it takes to do the job, and so far, a majority of the City Council apparently agrees. He says he has the ability to build consensus and foster openness and transparency in city government, which would be an improvement. What's not at all clear is that he has the ability to jump into a job he's never done before while maintaining his OLCC position. From a time-management perspective alone, it's unlikely any first-time city manager could master the complexities of running the government of a city of 75,000 people and a budget of more than $100 million a year while traveling to Salem every month. And OLCC business is not confined to monthly meetings, especially for the chairman, who is frequently asked to comment on business before the commission. Beyond that, however, there is the potential of a conflict of interest. The OLCC is in charge of regulating the state's recreational marijuana industry, and the City Council has spent a tremendous amount of time debating whether the city will allow marijuana sales, personal cultivation and other issues. If the council decides Patridge is the best choice for the job, council members should make sure he devotes 100 percent of his attention to it and hands the OLCC post over to someone else. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 12:01 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501