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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, January 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds 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 Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 15, 2004 Michaels worked for west side, housing When a west Medford neighborhood held a summer barbecue, Medford City Councilman John Michaels was there setting up chairs and tables. "He’s real hands-on — he’s always there to help," said Louise Dix, Medford’s neighborhood resource coordinator. "He’s a worker and he’s just great. He’s not just a policy person." After six years, Michaels will be representing Ward 3 at the City Council table for the last time Thursday. "We’re going to miss him," said Dix. Michaels, a graphic artist at Musician’s Friend, is married to Gigi Michaels, and they are foster parents. He also hosts a show on RVTV, the local cable access channel, called "Political Edge." Michaels was elected to the council in 1998 and re-elected in 2000. He served on the Planning Commission before that. Advertisement "I’m just going to take a break," said Michaels. "Once you get to the point where you think they can’t do it without you, it’s time to leave." He said he sees his legacy as promoting smart growth, mixed-use projects and other land-use issues. He’s also fought for affordable housing and rehabilitating blighted neighborhoods. Dix describes Michaels as a major proponent of smart growth, affordable housing and expanding the focus of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency to renovating neighborhoods. She said before the city hired a code enforcement officer, Michaels used to drive around northwest neighborhoods compiling a list of abandoned cars which he would then report to police. "It’s really a quality of life issue," she said. Michaels has done a lot for the city, she said. "He told me not to call him for six months and that’s going to be hard," said Dix. John Statler, elected in November, will be sworn in his place in January. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers