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Talent committee members search for helicopter compromise By MEG LANDERS TALENT - Members of a new committee appointed to research the use of helicopters for police patrols say they're optimistic for a solution that will satisfy both police and the residents who opposed them. The patrols were suspended by the City Council on July 2 after citizens complained about noise, invasion of privacy and use of spotlights. The council decided further study was needed before resuming the patrols. Since then, 150 residents of Mountain View and Oak Valley retirement communities have signed petitions calling for their reinstatement. A committee was appointed at Wednesday's council meeting to study the issue and make recommendations. The members include two councilmen, Don Steyskal and Brian Roberts, and seven citizens, Ron Medinger, Dale Kinnan, Emil Donato, John Ramsay, Kim Cower, Michael Mews and Joi Riley. The members represent different neighborhoods in Talent and different sides of the issue, said Steyskal. "It's a good representational cross-section," he said. Called Metro Air One, the helicopter, which is privately owned and paid for by Herb Sutton, has been used since 1998 to assist ground patrols in Talent, Ashland, Phoenix, Central Point, Shady Cove, Eagle Point and Butte Falls, as well as the Veterans Affairs Domiciliary in White City. Dozens of residents signed petitions and packed the July council meeting opposing the patrols because, they said, the jet turbine helicopter was too noisy, shined spotlights in their back yards and invaded their privacy. Police say the patrols aid in search and rescue and help police in pursuit of suspects. In the last fiscal year, Metro Air One has been involved in 20 felony and 22 misdemeanor arrests, eight search-and-rescue operations and five reported fires and has made a total of 138 flights valleywide. "I've not been disturbed by the helicopter at all, but I know there are some people who say they have been," Medinger said following the committee's first meeting Thursday night. Medinger said he doesn't feel strongly either way about the fate of the helicopter. "It's a valuable tool that we shouldn't just dismiss without looking at options," he said. Committee members said they will study whether minimum altitude, use of the spotlight and location of the routine flight path can be altered to address residents' concerns. "We're looking to see if we can modify the procedures to make a workable deal," Steyskal said. Committee members also are gathering information from other cities, particularly those which opted not to participate in the patrols. Committee members proposed reaching a decision within three meetings, but Medinger is skeptical. "If we're going for unanimity," he said, "I don't think we're going to do it in three (meetings)." The next Metro Air One committee meeting is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Community Center. It is open to the public. Meg Landers is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.