Document text
Hart resigns from Medford Council By Jessica Smith A Medford city councilman has stepped down, leaving more than two years remaining on his four-year term. Matthew Hart, one of two representatives for Ward 3, submitted a letter of resignation to his peers Wednesday. The resignation was made public at a council study session Thursday. Hart told the council in his letter that he was leaving office to spend more time with his family and work. Hart manages a landscaping business and an import-export outfit. "This (resignation) is being done for strictly personal reasons," Hart wrote the council. "The duties of the council require much more time than I can effectively give and continue to devote sufficient time to my family and work. ... It is with great regret that I am compelled to take this course." Hart could not be reached for additional comment. Hart is the second council member in recent weeks to cite the council�s demanding schedule among his reasons to leave. Councilman Curt Bennett, who decided he won�t seek re-election to his Ward 1 seat in November, said the time commitment was too steep for him to commit to another term. Hart � who joined the council in 1997 to fill a vacancy and was elected to his post in 1998 � was remembered by fellow council members Thursday as a hard worker who championed neighborhood issues and looked for ways to provide opportunities for local youths. "Matthew worked very closely with teens and youngsters," said council President Sal Esquivel. "A lot of people don�t know that because he was very quiet about it. "He�s devoted a lot of time to local youths," Esquivel added, pointing to projects like the VIBES dance hall opening. Councilman John Michaels, the second representative for Ward 3, said the city will miss Hart�s "man-on-the-street" approach to local government. "Matt always brought a different perspective to the council," Michaels said. "He has the ability to take an issue and look at it from how it affects the average citizen. He�s been very valuable in that respect." The council is expected to begin looking immediately for someone to fill Hart�s vacancy. Anyone interested will be required to submit an application and a petition signed by 25 registered voters in Ward 3. A five-member committee will interview all the candidates and make recommendations to the council, which will appoint a new member to serve the remaining two years of Hart�s term. The appointee would immediately begin serving after the council�s confirmation. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA