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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 2, 2006 Katherine Silsbee listens as City Council candidate Lee Morris explains his opposition to the Middleford Commons project. (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven) With a recall drive in the works, along with concerns about traffic and taxes, Medford City Council candidates say ... Voter interest is UP A recall drive, concerns about traffic and taxes dominate questions during door-to-door canvassing By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Medford City Council candidates are hoofing it door-to-door, and while they're greeted by a variety of levels of concern about municipal matters, this election could see more citizen interest in local politics. Bob Strosser, incumbent for the Ward 4 seat, said he's finding residents are more aware of the issues than he's seen in his two previous campaigns. "There is a lot more attention focused on this particular election," he said. He credits what he calls a "misguided recall effort" and "misinformation" that's been circulating with getting residents' attention. "The unintended but positive consequence is that more people are paying attention," said Strosser, who is among five council members under recall. With the recall effort, the ambitious Middleford Commons redevelopment project kicking off and an active campaign with 10 candidates for four City Council seats, there may be a resurgence of interest in Medford by its citizens. Advertisement Ward 4 candidate Lee Morris, who has been knocking on doors for three weeks, said citizen interest ranges from informed to apathetic. Morris, who opposes the existence of an urban renewal agency, introduces himself and starts off by asking if the person is familiar with the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. On a recent canvassing, Chuck Dungan, 35, said he was not familiar with MURA, and listened and took a brochure. Katherine Silsbee, a few doors down, said she was "somewhat" familiar with it. "It's downtown stuff," she said. She said MURA wasn't a concern for her, but asked Morris what he thought about insurance companies using people's credit scoring to establish rates, referring to ballot measure 42 that would prohibit insurance companies in Oregon from using credit scores in calculating rates or premiums. She said she realized it was not a City Council issue, and Morris said he wasn't prepared to weigh in on that issue yet. Another woman told Morris she couldn't vote but wanted to talk about her tomato plants. J.J. Owens, also seeking election to the Ward 4 position, said he's finding residents are interested in what's going on. "People are informed," he said. He's finding he needs to bring many elderly folks up to speed, but the 30-to-50-year-old crowd are up on Medford's news. "Some of them educate me a little," he said. Most people want to talk about the utility fee being discussed by the council, Middleford Commons, the south Medford interchange and the roundabout, he said. "It's taxes and traffic," Owens said. He's had a few doors slammed in his face, and some people tell him they don't like politicians, but he tells them he's a concerned citizen and community leader rather than a career politician. Morris knows some of that, too. "One guy told me the other night to buzz off," he said, adding that the man did not really use the word "buzz." Morris said though some people were enthusiastic about his putting a yard sign in their yards, he couldn't judge how much support he had overall in his ward. "Sometimes you get kind of a neutral reaction," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com