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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford-Jacksonville bike path becomes part of larger effort Medford clinics testing experimental treatments Public meetings, Sept. 1-5, 2014 Elusive owls get new home in Cascades Back-to-school time still conjures memories Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Medford police training program more than a video game Emergency Services Firefighting will close part of Lost Creek Lake over Labor Day weekend MPD crosswalk sting leads to several tickets Politics and Elections Gold Hill mayor faces challenger; other races have one candidate each Medford proposes new rules for pawn shops to help nab thieves Lack of incumbents, pot issue draws 10 for Medford council races Council members in Gold Hill dodge voter recall Bill Pullman campaigns for Oregon GMO labeling law Education Back-to-school shopping can add up RCC program helps prepare Latinos for college SOU launches leadership degree program Medford charter school opens with many changes, including its name Superintendent welcomes staff to a new school year Environment Elusive owls get new home in Cascades Judge won't block release of water Ashland marchers won't give up on climate change message OR-7 could be recollared next month Deadly deer virus may be spreading State news Nation - World Obituaries James (Jim) Michael Giancarlo Janie Sparks Georgia A. Lind Shirley Helen Beal Roberts Lorraine Antcha Dimoff Mattos Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Mariota, Oregon steamroll South Dakota Timbers blank Whitecaps Wortman pulls off shocker at SOGC Beavers win opener against Portland State Dobry, Fagan win 4K run Varsity 541 College Sports Mariota, Oregon steamroll South Dakota Beavers win opener against Portland State SOU splits on final day of Merced tourney Plenty to improve upon in Corvallis Raiders open with a rout Pro Sports Timbers blank Whitecaps Wortman pulls off shocker at SOGC With heavy heart, Kuchar hovers around the lead Champ Bailey, Michael Sam among cuts Super seniors strong at SOGC Community Sports Super seniors strong at SOGC Crenshaw pulls off upset in SOGC Murphy claims victory in Stroke Play Championships South Korea downs Chicago for World Series title Results / Standings Business Latest Stories Earlier than normal pear harvest coming up short of expectations Blog: Who Loves Coffee? We Do! People in Business New Mercedes-Benz dealer is luxury car fan Brammo plans to keep jobs in Rogue Valley Real Estate News Median residential housing prices rise 10.7 percent, but may begin to level out People In Business Transportation Agriculture Earlier than normal pear harvest coming up short of expectations Weisinger's Winery has earliest crush on record Amy's Kitchen begins expansion in White City Opinion Latest Charter schools prove to be option not obstacle George Will: Paul Ryan's way forward vs. progressivism Dana Milbank: America's real ice bucket challenge Charles Krauthammer: Lower corporate tax rates. Now. Wilderness for Kalmiopsis has served us well Editorials Charter schools prove to be option not obstacle Blistering lawsuit filed in Cover Oregon fiasco Other views: OLCC operates with little oversight Our View: A vote for common sense in Gold Hill Our View: It's not the gear; it's how the gear is used Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Aug. 29 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 28 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 27 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 26 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 25 Guest Opinions Wilderness for Kalmiopsis has served us well The summer of my discontent: An open letter to Bill Rauch The power of local philanthropy Who I am and why I want to serve on the City Council Lifestyle Latest stories Backpacking is glorious in the "Oregon Alps" Hot tips for a cool (shade) garden 'Super-Agers' are coming fast Columnist for a Day: The collection-plate formula still works Shift into the Rose City spirit Food What does 'natural' really mean? Fielding labels in search for a good egg The focus is on hospitality at Jaxon Vineyards Community blog: Silky stew or quick saute is summer's symphony Community blog: Onion pickles can wait for home-canning lull Home and Garden Hot tips for a cool (shade) garden An August checklist for your garden Green Scene: Diagnosing common tomato troubles Lawn talk Tips for keeping backyard birds cool this summer Health 'Super-Agers' are coming fast Community blog: It happened again... Community blog: What the Brain Isn't - Mind or Love Community blog: The Unfriendly Skies (continued) Healthy Aging: Iron girls galore Hiking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East - Part three of four Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East part 2 Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals Engagements Wedding: Ivanov-Leftin New Arrivals Shayla Brooke Grether and Jesse Levi Tanner Columnist for a Day Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Bill Maher at Britt Festivals From business professor to artist Gypsy Soul performs at EdenVale Winery The Jeff Stanley Trio at Lounge South Alan Berman Trio at the Imperial Theater OSF presents 'The Alchemy of Gender' Randall Theatre extends 'Godspell' 'Pump Boys & Dinettes' opens at Camelot Theatre Film festival kicks off annual 'Daedalus Project' Review: The joy of 'Godspell' is infectious Music Brent Norton: A Rogue Valley Experience Bill Maher at Britt Festivals Gypsy Soul performs at EdenVale Winery The Jeff Stanley Trio at Lounge South Alan Berman Trio at the Imperial Community Events 5 Things to Do This Weekend From business professor to artist Shady Cove Tie Days Swap Meet 'Prints From the Plateau' at the Rogue Gallery Nature Walks in Lithia Park Dining Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co. NW Raw Kelly's Crepes Basil & Berries Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Firefighting will close part of Lost Creek Lake over Labor Day weekend ... Wind shifts should rid Rogue Valley of smoke ... Saturation patrols planned this weekend ... Firefighting will close part of Lost Creek Lake over Labor Day weekend ... Wind shifts should rid Rogue Valley of smoke ... Saturation patrols planned this weekend ... AUTO SALES New Mercedes-Benz dealer is luxury car fan Making the 2,000-mile move from Texas Matt Burkholder may not be as well-known as Ronnie Lott, but local auto buyers likely will see more of the new Mercedes-Benz dealer By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 28, 2014 @ 4:41 pm By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 28, 2014 @ 4:41 pm » Social News Matt Burkholder likes luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz in particular. He also finds Southern Oregon to his liking. The 45-year-old Texan assumed control of the Medford Mercedes-Benz franchise last month after acquiring the dealership from fellow Texans Ron Heller, Bill Bird and Bob Crow. “I love luxury cars,” Burkholder said. “That’s what I prefer.” Unlike his predecessors operating the Medford Mercedes-Benz franchise, including NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott, Burkholder is all-in when it comes to the Rogue Valley. He moved his family here this summer and his two teenagers are enrolled at Ashland High School. “I came here pursuing the brand and I fell in love with the community,” he said.”It was very easy to make the 2,000-mile move. My wife and family came here a number of times prior to the closing on the deal. The community, people and the environment really made it a very easy sell; you can imagine the stress of whether two high school kids would like it or not.” Burkholder studied political science at Southern Methodist University in Dallas before finding his niche in upscale cars in the 1990s. He worked for Park Place Motorcars, which sells Mercedes, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in San Antonio. For the past decade, he’s been a part owner at Barrett Motor Cars, also in San Antonio, selling Jaguar, Maserati and Ferrari lines. He began working on the deal last November, making a couple of visits north beginning in February. The dealership also sells Smart cars and Sprinter, a commercial van line. “My theme is reintroducing Mercedes-Benz to the Rogue Valley,” Burkholder said. “There is not another brand that is more iconic than Mercedes-Benz has been in design, technology and safety. Sometimes, people are apprehensive when they come into dealerships because they think Mercedes-Benz are expensive, but at $30,000 and up, you can satisfy a lot of people.” He noted BMW does very well in Southern Oregon and thinks that underscores the potential when a franchise has a hands-on owner. “There are 350 automobile markets and Mercedes-Benz thought this was a good one,” Burkholder said. “When BMW is selling as many cars as it does, Mercedes-Benz should do equally as well.” Burkholder has beefed up the staff to 30, adding a sales manager, consultant and service adviser. “I’m not just here to sell cars,” he said. “This is my family business now and I want to be part of the community.” Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge .             By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 28, 2014 @ 4:41 pm » 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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