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Polasek ready to make his moves Photo by Bob Pennell Talent city administrator Preston Polasek's previous local government experience with Jackson County and the city of Medford -- as well as his chess-playing ability -- prepared him well for his new job. Administrator brings focus to Talent By WENDY SIPOREN Preston Polasek Position : Talent city administrator Age : 36 Education : M.A., public administration, University of Washington Family : Wife, Brenda Polasek; two sons, Alex, 5 and Levi, 3 TALENT -- Running a city of 5,050 people isn't exactly like a game of chess, but new city administrator Preston Polasek says his hobby has trained him well for the task. Describing himself as a chess enthusiast, Polasek, 36, says the game aids his ability to focus, organize thoughts and juggle tasks. He's played competitively since high school and last October he won the Western States Open in Reno, Nev. But it wasn't his success on the chessboard that made him an easy pick among two dozen candidates vying to replace outgoing city administrator Leahnette York. Mayor Marian Telerski says Polasek's financial expertise and impeccable reputation gave him the qualifications needed to fill York's shoes. "She certainly set a standard of excellence," said Telerski of York's success in turning the city's finances around. "We're fortunate we got someone from Oregon who knows state municipal law," said Telerski. "His performance in his previous jobs is just outstanding." After earning a master's in public administration from the University of Washington, Polasek took a yearlong internship under Jackson County Administrator Burke Raymond. At the time he was interested in state and federal government, but when his care broke down south of Roseburg, he decided to apply for the Jackson County internship. "It was the last place I thought I'd wind up," he said. But his stint with the county gave him a taste of local government and a love for the Rogue Valley. He was hooked. Polasek then went to work for the city of Medford as an administrative assistant. He's been the assistant city manager since 1994 with a long list of accomplishments: negotiating a cable television franchise, securing a state legislative district for the city, initiating award-winning Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to city parks and buildings, planning the Lausmann Annex to city hall and televising public meetings. Most recently Polasek coordinated Medford's vision process. But don't look for Talent council meetings on the cable access channel anytime soon, says Polasek of his new small-town job. "Talent isn't such a large place that people can't feel comfortable coming down to city hall during the day and talking to or calling their council member," he said. Some ideas he is bringing from Medford include charging a user fee for storm drains and streets, two ideas the council is currently studying. Those fees, along with the storm drain system development charge currently under consideration, should put the city in good position to handle the expected boom when the city's building moratorium is lifted, he said. Polasek says until then, Talent's finances will remain tight. But instead of seeing this lull in growth as negative, Polasek says the moratorium has been a great benefit to the city. "The moratorium offers a respite to the mayor and council and residents," he said. " It's an opportunity to be thoughtful about how the community is to grow." It's hard to be thoughtful under the pressure of constant development, he added. "Talent is positioned to start planning for significant public amenities," he said, including more park space and an improved downtown. Polasek has nothing but praise for the changes York and the council have effected in the past two years, including a new city charter, a complete update to the city's comprehensive plan and an ongoing downtown design plan. Polasek says spending time with York before she leaves Friday will make his transition to the job smooth. "Usually there's a financial crisis and there's body parts on the floor," he said. "I feel I can come in here and hit the ground running." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA