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56 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, May 7, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 4, 2005 Citing family, Hearn resigns from Ashland council By VICKIE ALDOUS for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND — City Councilor Chris Hearn resigned Tuesday night in order to devote more time to his family and law practice. "It’s becoming difficult without giving short-shrift to a very important part of my life, and that’s my wife and three school-age children," said Hearn, an attorney and the father of children ages 4, 9 and 12. Twice-monthly council meetings regularly stretch from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Councilors have been inundated with land-use appeals and rarely handle all the items scheduled for their meetings. Tuesday night’s meeting was continued to a noon meeting today because the council again ran out of time. Councilors also hear from residents outside of meetings, attend afternoon study sessions, serve as liaisons to city committees and have begun an intensive series of meetings to review the city’s $87.89 million proposed budget. Hearn said he was unable to attend Monday night’s budget meeting and decided now was the time to resign before he goes through another budgeting process. Advertisement "There was basically a family revolt against the time I spend on council," said Hearn, who was appointed to the council to fill a vacancy in 2001 after losing a close election. Voters then elected him in the 2002 elections. He served on the Ashland Planning Commission from 1996 to 2001. Mayor John Morrison said it was with great disappointment that he learned of Hearn’s resignation, but said he understood Hearn’s decision. He lauded Hearn for bringing legal expertise and a measured approach to the council. "Once again, thanks from me and the entire community," Morrison said. Hearn asked the council to consider appointing someone to fill his position who would maintain fair representation of diverse community views on the council. Along with Councilor Alex Amarotico, co-owner of the Standing Stone Brewing Co., Hearn is considered to be pro-business by many community members, although his votes haven’t always fit that stereotype. The council vacancy will be advertised, with applications due May 20. The council likely will conduct interviews on June 8 and make an appointment on June 21. The vacancy must be filled within 60 days of Hearn’s resignation. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg diamonds Distance Education Diamonds Paris Hilton Online Poker Auto Insurance Mesothelioma Slippers Student Loans Tatoo tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing Website Design & Marketing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoos Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Payday Loans Advertisement s