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County hires Talent administrator Madding By JILL BRISKEY TALENT - City Administrator Kelly Madding will soon leave her post and spearhead economic development and urban renewal with Jackson County. Her decision has left Talent city officials scrambling to find a replacement once again. Talent Mayor Marian Telerski said replacing somebody as talented as Madding will be a tough job for the city. "No one has surfaced yet," Telerski said. "It's a hard job. It's a very demanding job. There are so many areas that need attention." The Talent City Council was expected to hold an executive session Wednesday night. The meeting was closed to the public, and Telerski said the council planned to discuss hiring an interim city administrator and conducting a search for a permanent replacement. Madding said her last day with Talent is Nov. 16, adding that her decision was both personal and professional. "I have very much enjoyed working for the city of Talent," she said, adding that her new county job is "a career opportunity for me, an opportunity to utilize the skills I have." Madding was hired as city administrator in March 2000. She replaced Preston Polaske, a Medford resident who was hired as administrator in May 1999, but resigned weeks later following a series of complaints. Polaske succeeded Leahnette York. York was hired in 1997 but left two years later for another job. Prior to hiring York, Tony Paxton served as city administrator but was fired in 1996. The city faulted Paxton for failing to keep track of the city's budget. Paxton now serves as Gold Hill's city recorder. County Administrator Sue Slack said Madding will begin her new position Nov. 26 as economic and special development director. The position has been vacant since Cathy Conlow left for a job in Minnesota in May. Slack said Madding will be responsible for regional economic development, solid waste and natural resources and environmental issues. Madding will also spearhead urban renewal and economic improvements in White City. Prior to her work in Talent, Madding was a city administrator/recorder for Rogue River and a planner and housing officer in Ashland. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oregon. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.