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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW ScienceWorks celebration to include North Medford's high-altitude balloon launch ... Oregon steps up bat search amid new disease scare ... Since You Asked: Lost Creek, Applegate lakes on pace to fill ... ScienceWorks celebration to include North Medford's high-altitude balloon launch ... Oregon steps up bat search amid new disease scare ... Since You Asked: Lost Creek, Applegate lakes on pace to fill ... FROM THE COUNCIL From the Council: We are all fortunate to live in Medford Comment By Dick Gordon MailTribune.com By Dick Gordon Posted Apr. 17, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Dick Gordon Posted Apr. 17, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News “If you’re lucky enough to live in Medford, you’re lucky enough.” This phrase was repeated often by retired police Chief Tim George. I agree with the chief. I can’t think of any place I would rather live. There must be many others who agree, because the Medford and Rogue Valley populations continue to grow. There are good things happening in Medford, which includes a thriving regional medical community, a growing tourism industry, expanding regional retail and food centers and increasing numbers of small-business startups, especially in e-commerce and software. The 50-year population forecast for Medford is 150,000. Medford has its share of challenges. City revenues are not keeping up with the needs and demands for services. The downtown area is still trying to define itself. There’s a shortage of well-paying jobs and affordable housing. Some employers are having trouble finding suitable employees because many folks are unable to pass a drug test. PERS costs are skyrocketing. Your City Council has spent considerable time on subjects such as dangerous dogs, beehives in residential neighborhoods and marijuana issues. Untold hours are being dedicated to study the expansion of our urban growth boundary in order to meet the future land supply needs for an increasing population and employment lands for new jobs. We discuss these subjects because they are important to our citizens. As a council member I try to focus on everything, but in reality, each of us must select priorities. I focus on public safety, infrastructure and finance. I am a financial conservative. I wish there were more financial conservatives on the council. On public safety, I take continuing criticism from naysayers who wanted a public vote to authorize replacing three fire stations and building a new police station. Despite the criticism, I feel there are times that the council, as your elected officials, needs to make the tough financial decisions. These new facilities are critical to protect the public now and in the future. The news media focused attention on the public safety projects being $6 million over budget. For the record I expect the police station to come in on budget. Your council only authorized building two fire stations instead of three, to insure we will be within the bond proceeds. When all is built, I anticipate the council will determine if there are sufficient bond proceeds remaining to build the third fire station. The city must remain within its budgets. I support placing major capital project amenities, such as aquatics facilities, on the ballot for the voters to decide services to be provided. I also support voters deciding about allowing or not allowing recreational marijuana retail stores in Medford and marijuana grows in residential neighborhoods. I understand that Medford residents are split on recreational marijuana issues. Infrastructure is something most of us take for granted. Much of Medford’s infrastructure, including sewers and storm drains, is situated in older sections of Medford. They are deteriorating. Aging infrastructure and population increases create an ongoing need for major maintenance, replacement, resizing and upgrading our systems to protect the health of our citizens and visitors. Medford has super clean drinking water. We can thank those folks in the 1920s for providing today’s major water source and system. I am hoping that what we are doing today with infrastructure planning and maintenance will be applauded by those serving the city 90 years from now. Your City Council has diversity. While the Mail Tribune and others like to take pot-shots at the voters for not electing more women or minorities to the council, there’s more to diversity than gender and race. When elected, two of our current council members were in their 20s. Mayor Gary Wheeler and I are currently in our early 70s. It is an experience to attend council meetings with folks close to my age, the same age as my children, and close to the age of my grandchildren. Nearly three generations are represented on the council. I have learned considerable information from the younger council members, and their input has influenced me to modify my views on some challenges facing Medford. Hopefully, my life experiences and wisdom offer insights to the younger council members to temper their positions. Yes, there is diversity on the council. It is an honor to continue serving you in Ward 1. Thank you for having confidence in me. Your voices are heard. Dick Gordon ([email protected]) is a member of the Medford City Council. The views expressed in this piece are the individual's and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the City Council. By Dick Gordon MailTribune.com By Dick Gordon Posted Apr. 17, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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