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1000 Friends creates regional presence Land use advocacy group opens its Southern Oregon office in Medford By PETER WONG The head of a statewide advocacy group says that its new regional office in Medford opens a new era for citizen activists who support Oregon's land use planning program. "I think people in Oregon are ready to improve what we have and stop carping over what we have not done," said Robert Liberty, executive director of 1000 Friends of Oregon. "There certainly has been plenty of growth in this region, and growth is occurring not just in the Rogue Valley but in other areas in Southern Oregon. This regional office means that there will be more staff members located closer to where the people and activities are. It will connect with citizen groups and activists and help make each other more effective." Liberty spoke on a weekend visit to Hillcrest House in Medford, next to Hillcrest Orchards. Liberty's organization has been in existence since 1975, when former Gov. Tom McCall, the champion of the 1973 land use law, helped found it with Henry Richmond. Liberty is only its second executive director. The Jackson County Citizens League, founded in 1991, became a regional affiliate of the Portland-based 1000 Friends in 1994. The two organizations will share office space in downtown Medford. Both organizations support the premises of the state's land use planning program to confine most development within urban growth boundaries of cities and protect most rural lands for farming and forestry. "There is no question that we all love the lifestyle and environment of Southern Oregon," said Mary-Kay Michelsen of Ashland, league president. "We at the league will do everything we can to preserve it." Both organizations opposed most of the changes proposed in the 1999 Legislature to Oregon's land use planning laws. Most of the bills died in committee, defeated by one chamber or the other, or vetoed by Gov. John Kitzhaber. The regional office of 1000 Friends will be responsible for six counties -- Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Coos, Curry and Klamath. Its budget is financed by contributions raised within the region. Its work will be guided by an advisory committee from the region. Scott Clay, a planner with Jackson County government for 21 years, is the part-time staffer for the office. Though he took no part in either 1000 Friends of Oregon or the Jackson County Citizens League while he was employed by county government, Clay said, "I've always been very encouraged, supportive and impressed by the work these groups do." Liberty said his organization had been urged to open a Southern Oregon office a decade ago, "but I think it was appropriate to wait for local groups and a higher level of activity before we opened an office." He said he hopes the pattern will be duplicated elsewhere in the state. The organization now has 11 affiliates statewide. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA