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Strosser takes big lead in council race Former police officer pulls 55 percent of vote By JIM DAVIS Medford's lone contested race for the City Council saw newcomer Bob Strosser with a strong lead in early results. Strosser tallied 55 percent of the vote, compared to 29 percent by Molly Elliott and 15 percent by Dennis Nielsen. They were running for the Ward 4 seat vacated by Rob Patridge, running for state legislator. "I think all of the people who entered the race were dedicated and willing to donate their time to this community," Strosser said. "But I'm pleased to see the confidence expressed in me so far." During the race, Strosser, 53, earned a couple of high-profile endorsements -- one from Patridge and one from longtime Mayor Jerry Lausmann. Strosser works in Medford as a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker. He moved to Medford in the early 1990s after retiring as a commander of the Pasadena, Calif., Police Department. He had served 24 years as a police officer in Pasadena. During that time, Strosser worked with the city's elected officials and organized the law-enforcement end of the Rose Bowl and Tournament of Roses Parade. Elliott, 63, works as an administrative assistant with Bear Creek Gardens, a subsidiary of Bear Creek Corp. Nielsen, 49, is the publisher of Contractor's Job Finder, a monthly magazine based in Medford. He serves on the Planning Commission and the Site, Plan and Architectural Commission. Four council candidates were running unopposed: John Michaels, a city planning commissioner, Medford's northwest Ward 3; Councilman Matt Hart, also in Medford's northwest Ward 3; Councilman Jim Key, Medford's northeast Ward 1; and Councilman Skip Knight, Medford's southwest Ward 2. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA