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Falsarella draws glowing reports His leadership helped Talent in tough years By WENDY SIPOREN TALENT -- The city's motto reads: A growing community of friendly people. It was a commitment to these friendly people that launched Frank Falsarella into politics. In 1981, he recalls hearing a budget committee member say that the city could pass any budget because the people in Talent are stupid. Falsarella took the critique to heart. "That made me mad," he recalled. "I said to myself, `I think I'm going to get into politics."' He served on the budget committee, then the planning commission and the city council before first running for mayor in 1986. Twelve years and five successful elections later, Falsarella, 73, has decided it's time to scale back and make some time for his family. While he's getting out of politics, Falsarella says he will stay involved in public service, coordinating the police reserve program and working on the Urban Renewal District board. When he talks about his accomplishments in 10 years as mayor, what you hear are mainly public works projects, things that have made Talent a nicer place to live: the Urban Renewal Agency's renovation of downtown, the re-surfacing of Talent Avenue, the widening of West Valley View Road, a pledge from the state to fix the intersection of Colver Road and Highway 99, the building of a new police station and the water intertie with Medford. "I like being involved," he said. "I like to help people." Heartfelt dedication to his work and personal contact is what others say about his term -- which may be the longest in city history. When the city council fired the city administrator, Falsarella served in that position for nine months. "The welfare of the city is definitely what mattered to him," said Melissa Wynne, water clerk for the past 11 years. "I overhear what people say sometimes. And I've never heard anything bad said about him." At first glance, Falsarella might be described as one of the good ol' boys. A former San Francisco Bay area police officer and fireman of 25 years, Falsarella has maintained his ties to those city departments. He has also been involved in the Lions and in the Elks. But faced with controversy -- a water crisis leading to a building moratorium, the 1996 termination of a city administrator responsible for a $100,000 budget shortfall, a police chief and a fire chief who retired in the mid-'90s amid controversy -- Falsarella recognized the need to change the old guard and stood by a council dedicated to cleaning up the city. Perhaps because he wasn't afraid of change, Falsarella and his council became the target of an unsuccessful recall effort in 1997. "When you face difficult times, that proves your leadership," he explained. "He looked at all the facts and based his opinion all on that," said Councilwoman Lisa Shapiro. "That's probably what I most admire about him. "I'm really proud of where we've come to ... the progress made," said Shapiro. "Frank was all a part of that." Falsarella has glowing praise for the current council members and new city staff. "That's why I don't regret stepping down," he said. "I'm very proud of what's happened in my administration," he said. "I know it's my administration, but a mayor is only as good as his council and his staff." Falsarella has these words of advice for the new mayor: "Be a team player with your council. Make yourself available. And listen to the people." Telerski will step in as mayor; McCormick invites comments The times are a-changing. As Talent residents say goodbye to their longest-serving mayor, the city is getting its first woman mayor, Marion Telerski. Telerski says that now that the city's emergency needs are being taken care of, she hopes the council turns its attention toward ``the extras," such as economic development and fiber optics. "We really need to see who our citizens are and what their needs are," said Telerski, a council member for six years. New council member Kim McCormick says she's looking forward to learning about city government and gaining political experience. McCormick, who manages the Talent Club, a tavern downtown, already has an ear to her constituents. She invites anyone who wants to talk to visit her at work, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. She said she'd like to see the police department move toward community policing. "We're a friendly small town and I think it should have a friendly police department," she said. McCormick would also like to see a teen center developed to give kids something to do after school. Councilor-elect Douglas Anderson has missed two meetings and has yet to be sworn in. If he is not at the Jan. 20 meeting, the council has the power to declare a vacancy. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA