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Click Here 46 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 20, 2004 Skip Knight’s back on transportation panel Council leader Esquivel reappoints him a year after he was removed for not voting as asked By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Medford Councilman Skip Knight once again will serve on a regional committee that manages major road projects. A year after he was removed from the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Knight was returned to it by council President Sal Esquivel. The appointment was effective Monday. "In my opinion he’s the most knowledgeable council member on transportation," said Esquivel, who made the appointment Friday. The MPO, which oversees regional planning for everything from bike lanes to buses, is a federally mandated organization made up of the urbanized area of Jackson County. It includes Medford, Central Point, Phoenix, White City, Ashland, Talent and Jacksonville. The council removed Knight as MPO liaison in 2003 a few weeks after he cast an important vote at a January MPO meeting. Advertisement The council had directed Knight to support a system in which Medford’s vote carried more weight than smaller jurisdictions’ votes. During an MPO meeting, Knight instead favored a system in which every jurisdiction would get one vote. Esquivel replaced Knight as liaison last year, but said he realized there’s quite a learning curve as a new MPO liaison. "For me to be really comfortable it would take me a couple years," he said. At the beginning of 2004, Esquivel was voted council president, replacing Bob Strosser, and Knight was voted vice president. Esquivel said he had to give up some of his responsibilities, such as MPO liaison, with his new commitment as council president. "It’s just a matter of time constraints on my part," said Esquivel. Knight said he’s pleased with the turn of events that have led to his return to the transportation group. "I like the idea," he said. "I think I bring something to the MPO." Knight said he doesn’t harbor any bad feelings over last year’s disagreement. "Sometimes that’s the fortunes of politics," he said. "I just took it in stride." Other changes in liaisons include: Jason Anderson replacing John Michaels on the Medford Urban Renewal Board and Jason Anderson and Jim Key replacing Ed Chun and Bill Moore on the Parks and Recreation Commission. The appointments will be announced at the Feb. 5 City Council meeting. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times