Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 4, 2006 Gilmour's decision to not vote prompts angry crowd to storm county meeting By Meg Landers Mail Tribune A regionwide effort to plan for future growth came to a screeching halt Tuesday when a Jackson County commissioner announced he would not cast a vote in the process, which requires unanimity to proceed. Dave Gilmour's announcement came during the first major vote of the Regional Problem Solving Policy Committee, which has been meeting for six years trying to plan future areas for growth in Jackson County. Gilmour also said he would no longer be the sole representative for the county, as Commissioners Jack Walker and C.W. Smith wanted to rotate themselves into the process. The announcement prompted representatives from five cities to head directly to the county courthouse, where they hoped to interrupt a commissioners meeting in order to protest. "On our first vote, when Dr. Gilmour explained each of the commissioners would be rotating through and none of them would be voting, we had to adjourn our meeting," said Kate Jackson, an Ashland City Council member. She said each phase of the process requires unanimous votes from every jurisdiction involved. Advertisement The representatives — from Medford, Ashland, Talent, Phoenix and Eagle Point, as well as from the Rogue Valley Council of Governments — were stopped at the door by County Counsel Doug McGeary, who told them the topic was not on the agenda and a meeting would first have to be announced to the public. The representatives instead met with McGeary, interim County Administrator Danny Jordan and Kelly Madding, director of development services. Jordan said the commissioners recently discussed concern that the process may be quasi-judicial and a commissioner could not vote as a committee member on a policy and then turn around and adopt it as a commissioner. RVCOG Executive Director Michael Cavallaro countered the commissioners can vote, and said the arrangement is similar to regional transportation planning with the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Jordan said that the commissioners want to have a deeper understanding of the process. "All of you have lived this for years," he said. "Jack (Walker) has not lived this for years." Jackson said she thinks the other commissioners don't trust Gilmour to represent their votes. In a telephone interview following the meeting, County Commissioner C.W. Smith said Jackson's assessment was not accurate. "I don't think it's an issue of trust," he said. "I just think it's wanting to get a balance of perspectives. I'm disappointed in how things are couched." Smith said he and Walker want to become more informed about what RPS is doing. "This is a momentous series of decisions," said Smith. "We were not getting the full story." Walker said he's received calls from people reporting Gilmour is dictating where the growth will and won't be in Central Point. "Dave Gilmour does not make that decision, the board makes that decision," said Walker. Both Walker and Smith said they're seeking a solution, such as appointing a staff person to be the voting member for the county. Gilmour said he thinks all three commissioners support RPS and don't want to stop the process. "I was given my marching instructions by the board," he said. "I was told I couldn't vote and I didn't." The commissioners will discuss the RPS process at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Jackson Room, County Offices, 10 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford. The next RPS policy committee meeting is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Oct. 16 in Council Chambers, Central Point City Hall, 140 S. Third St., Central Point. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . What is regional problem solving? The regional problem-solving process, led by the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, is an effort to accommodate a population that is expected to double to 270,000 over the next 40 to 60 years. The region includes Ashland, Phoenix, Talent, Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point and Jacksonville. Medford alone wants to add nearly 4,600 acres to its urban growth boundary to accommodate tens of thousands of new residents. Ashland, by comparison, proposes no additions. "The perspective on land use is in flux right now," Talent Mayor Marian Telerski said Tuesday. "This is our opportunity to have a predictable plan." The RPS process is estimated to be about two years from completion. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing UK Homeowner Loans GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com