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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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW State, miners headed for showdown over dredging ... Jacksonville to add downtown parking spots ... New Klamath Community College board member blasts alleged negativity ... State, miners headed for showdown over dredging ... Jacksonville to add downtown parking spots ... New Klamath Community College board member blasts alleged negativity ... OUR VIEW Our View: Thanks to four departing leaders Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 26, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 26, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News The new year will bring changes to local governments in the form of new council members in Medford and new Jackson County commissioners. It's a good time note the retirement of four public servants from those two bodies and thank them for their work. The Medford City Council will see the departure of Bob Strosser and John Michaels. Strosser, a real estate broker and a retired police officer who moved here from Southern California, spent 16 years in office, putting in countless hours of volunteer time on civic issues. Strosser was a leader in many respects, serving as City Council president four times, and he ran for mayor in 2004, losing to Gary Wheeler, who still holds the position. Medford residents are fortunate that Strosser decided to remain on the council for 10 more years. Strosser made a point over the years of reaching out to communicate with this newspaper and with city residents. We have always appreciated his dedication to transparency in government, an approach we hope others on the council will continue after he leaves office. Michaels served two stints on the council. After serving on the Planning Commission, he was first elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, stepping down in 2004. But six years later he was back, serving an additional four-year term. Michaels has been dedicated to aggressively representing the interests of his northwest Medford Ward 3, pushing for neighborhood improvements and affordable housing. Jackson County commissioners Don Skundrick and John Rachor also are stepping down after serving one term on the three-member Board of Commissioners. Both men were at the end of successful business careers when they sought the office in 2010, and both made it clear they were not interested in lengthy service. But both worked diligently to keep county government on solid footing while doing what they could to boost economic development and encourage job growth. We didn't always see eye to eye with them, but both commissioners took a pragmatic approach to running the county with the savvy assistance of County Administrator Danny Jordan. Skundrick and Rachor brought conservative convictions to the task, but clearly recognize that government is a necessary tool to improve the community, not an enemy to be thwarted. We hope incoming commissioners Rick Dyer and Colleen Roberts will build on the foundation Skundrick and Rachor leave behind. Government service can be a thankless job, but creating livable communities depends on it. The residents of Medford and Jackson County have been fortunate to have leaders like Strosser, Michaels, Skundrick and Rachor willing to take on the task. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 26, 2014 at 12:01 AM » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501