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53 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, November 29, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | 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 October 17, 2003 If voters approve Medford�s charter amendment, residents would have the chance to vote on such issues asthe proposed south Medford interchange realignment, which would connect Garfield Street and Highland Drive, foreground, at I-5 to the south. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell A vote on Medford’s future Charter amendment would require an election on every road project that involves contracts with the state or federal government By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune No matter how you vote on a proposed charter amendment on the Nov. 4 election ballot, supporters and opponents say your voice will have a big impact on Medford’s future. Voters will get a shot at requiring a public vote for all future (and some already approved) road projects in Medford that involve the state or federal government and end up changing the flow of traffic, for example by adding a lane of travel. Ballots and voter pamphlets are being mailed today for Measure 15-49. Shady Cove and Phoenix residents also get ballots to vote on separate funding measures for fire and police services in their cities. The title of the proposed charter amendment in Medford asks, "Shall Charter require voter approval for city agreements with state and federal governments for state highway projects affecting traffic flow, road design, capacity, or function?" Advertisement Initiative proponent John Pearson, one of the chief petitioners who gathered signatures to get the initiative on the ballot, says: Absolutely. Pearson likens the issue to voting on school bond measures, county courthouse buildings and libraries. But opponent John Eads, co-chairman of STOP the Charter Amendment political action committee, argues that the initiative goes too far because it’s about contracts. "I think all of us hold very dear the right to participate in our government," he said. "Few people would suggest that voting on contracts to build schools or libraries is a good idea." Pearson said the if the initiative passes, it makes local government more responsible for its negotiation deals. "City Council will not be able to give away tens of millions of taxpayers’ dollars without voter approval," said Pearson. But Eads argued that the initiative doesn’t let elected officials do their jobs. "The obvious concern is micromanagement and planning at the ballot box," said Eads. Pearson, who said the south Medford interchange project got him involved in the initiative effort, has referred to the interchange as "a 60-million-dollar project to move an interchange four blocks," and said projects need more public participation and review. "It’s an issue of weeding out a few boondoggle projects," he said. City and state officials came up with the interchange plan to alleviate severe traffic congestion at the south Medford interchange at Barnett Road. Ernie Garb, a retired attorney living in east Medford who opposes the charter amendment, said he supports public involvement, just not this initiative. "I myself opposed the south interchange project," he said, adding that even though he and others opposed the project in meetings, the city decided to go ahead with it. "After awhile you accept it and go on to other things," said Garb. He said the initiative will slow projects and have severe consequences. "ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) will go elsewhere, the infrastructure of this city will suffer, therefore the economy will stagnate," he said. Jackson County Clerk Kathy Beckett said she anticipates a fair turnout for the measure in Medford. "I’m hoping we’ll see at least a 55 percent turnout in this election," she said. "There’s been a lot of controversy on this election." Drop sites will open up on Oct. 27, she said, and ballots are due Nov. 4. Beckett said there was 33 percent turnout on the recent statewide election to decide a bond-funding measure, but local elections usually have more voters. "There’s nothing better than what’s going on in your own communities," she said. "How do we want to go about improving our streets? It’s getting right down to where we live." Tickets are still available for an initiative debate between Pearson and Eads at 12:15 p.m. Monday at the Rogue Valley Country Club. The debate is sponsored by the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County, and $13 tickets can be reserved by calling 779-4847; seating is limited. The debate also will be taped by Rogue Valley Community Television (RVTV) for broadcast at a later date. Visit www.roguetv.org on the Web and click on channels for the broadcast schedule. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Charter pros and cons PRO Enables citizens to vote on major transportation projects. The measure would not require a vote for city-only projects. Publication and approval of agreements allows citizens to better see how tax dollars are spent. Residents would have more say in protecting neighborhoods from threatening street construction projects. Provides an avenue to halt the south interchange project and protect businesses near the Barnett interchange from being driven away. CON Requiring a vote will compromise the ability to correct street and transportation problems. Will prevent Medford from competing successfully for scarce but substantial state and federal transportation funds. Each election for each project would cost taxpayers thousands of dollars, depending on when elections are held. Overrides the existing representative government system, and the City Council should be allowed to do the job they were elected to do. The charter amendment’s language is poorly drafted and unclear, and could result in numerous lawsuits. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. 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