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Jackson County puts shelter property issue on back burner By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune For now, Jackson County officials won't pursue formal efforts to regain ownership of land and buildings housing a former Community Works youth shelter. Instead, officials said Thursday they plan to continue low-key negotiations over the future of former public property deeded to the Medford social service agency in 1997. "I am meeting informally with the board chair," County Administrator Sue Slack said Thursday. "It's my intention to try to resolve all of the issues that are there. We are very excited about getting the shelter open for kids." That's fine with county Commissioner Jack Walker, who had called an executive session to discuss the future of nearly three acres of land and buildings valued at about $550,000. After the session, Walker indicated he remains committed to retrieving property given to Community Works to run the Youth Diagnostic Shelter. A sex abuse scandal and evidence of negligence recently forced the county to take over the service. An Oct. 2 memo from Slack to the commissioners indicated that the county would pursue a short-term lease to reopen the shelter, but that officials eventually want the property back. Walker, who opposed the deal that gave the land to the agency in 1997, previously called upon Community Works to give back the property if it can't provide the service. "I think it does need to be talked about," Walker said. "But why go formally when you can go informally?" Mike Jewett, an attorney for the county, declined to comment on any pending legal action. "When I've been directed to file something, you'll be the first to know," Jewett said. Fran Orrok, president of the Community Works board of directors, said she had discussed the situation with Slack. "Both groups are in the process of negotiating a lease," she said, adding that county officials have not officially requested the property's return. "There has been no presentation to the board in any way, shape or form." Absent formal action, Orrok declined further comment. "It would be inappropriate for any board member to discuss any informal discussion," she said. The shelter, which serves some 300 at-risk youth a year, is set to reopen in January. County commissioners on Thursday approved a plan to hire 10 new full-time employees in the Community Justice department to staff it. County costs for running the shelter are expected to top $130,500 a year. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.