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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 4, 2006 Growth is key for Eagle Point council candidates Five citizens are in the running for three seats in November By JENNIFER STRANGE for the Mail Tribune EAGLE POINT — Five candidates for three City Council seats in the Nov. 7 election differ on how much their city should grow — and how fast. Longtime Rogue Valley resident Trenton Douglas, who moved to Eagle Point four and a half years ago, promotes progressive, growth-friendly leadership combined with a respect for the town's character. "Eagle Point has the resource base, i.e., water, services and available land, and that's why we're growing," he said. "Forward-thinking people can accommodate that growth." Creating jobs through carefully studied industrial growth and accommodating residential growth by adding park services and bolstering the downtown core could result in a vital community, Douglas said. Ensuring that Eagle Point becomes the "primary economic and social center for the Upper Rogue section of Jackson County" as the city proposed in the 1970s is incumbent Terry Christiansen's approach. Advertisement "State law requires cities to accommodate growth," said Christiansen, who has lived in Eagle Point for seven and a half years. "If and when that growth occurs, we as the city must be prepared to meet that growth." Infrastructure, water and sewer issues, traffic needs within the city and Highway 62 traffic corridor are Christiansen's primary concerns. Decisions are best made, he said, with "input from our city staff, Planning Commission, City Council, and other various county, state and federal agencies." Creating and continually updating a strategic growth plan is what candidate Gregg Brasel proposes. "I would want to see the city looking out 20 to 30 years and every two years adjusting the plan as needed," said the three-year Eagle Point resident. Providing infrastructure that meets the needs of current and future residents should be the plan's goal, Brasel said. "Eagle Point has become a city that has caught the eye of people looking for a place to settle down without the rat race of a major city," he said. "We must work diligently to keep this feel to our city. We do not want to get into the situation where we are just slapping things together. We must consider the impact of growth on the entire area well in advance." Turning an eye toward Eagle Point's downtown and older neighborhoods is one of candidate Wyn Lewis' goals. "Planning and zoning requirements mandate safe roads, traffic controls, sewers, water, power and flood control" for new developments, said the five-year resident. "However our aging infrastructure must be upgraded to support our additional population and traffic, and this requires adequate planning for minimal disruption to established residents and businesses." Setting growth priorities can help preserve the small-town, rural charm of Eagle Point, Lewis said. "Growth can change a community for better or worse," she said. "We will have many more homes, businesses and more traffic but that doesn't worry me. I am very worried that we will not have enough parks and open spaces to balance the commercial and residential expansion." Rick Tree, a 12-year resident of Eagle Point, sees expanding the urban growth boundary as the first order of business. "We have to figure out where we're going to expand to and where we're going to put everybody," he said. So far, said Tree, planning for growth has been a "cart before the horse" situation in Eagle Point. "There seem to be a lot of things that are hurried through the Planning Commission and the City Council," he said. "I think it needs to be a little better organized and more thought put into it." Ten years down the road, Tree sees a self-contained community. "We'll have restaurants, grocery stores, real estate agents, car dealers," said Tree. "It will be a good thing for the area to cut down on traffic going into Medford once we get these new businesses established." Residents will be asked to vote for three of the five candidates. Ballots will be mailed Oct. 20 and must be returned to the Jackson County Elections Office by 8 p.m. Nov. 7. Those elected will serve four-year terms. Jennifer Strange is a freelance writer living in Central Point. Reach her at [email protected]. A closer look: profiles Gregg S. Brasel Age: 40. Employer: Eagle Point Church of the Nazarene. Education: Master of arts, theological studies, Bethel College. Experience: Managed a nonprofit for the last three years. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Guide the economic growth of Eagle Point for the benefit of all citizens while maintaining integrity in the government. 2. Ensure development is done in a manner that takes the concerns of the citizens in mind above personal desires. 3. Help the administration run the city in an orderly, common-sense manner. Terry Christiansen, incumbent Age: 60. Employer: J.W. Hurd Fabrication Inc. Education: Attended Oregon State University for three years and Oregon Institute of Technology for two years. Experience: Eagle Point Planning Commission, two years; Eagle Point City Council, four years. Priorities if elected: Continue with the city's positive growth attitude, and hopefully attract more commercial and industrial business to our community. Trenton S. Douglas Age: 64. Employer: Standard Financial Solutions. Education: Bachelor of science degree, political science, Southern Oregon University, minor in business. Experience: Eagle Point Planning Commission member since 2002. Also served on the Ashland Planning Commission in 1972 and other boards. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Consensus builder — help assist with promotion in the development of the Eagle Point downtown core. 2. People person — develop good relationships. 3. Assist the current leadership to obtain unity in the direction of economic development in Eagle Point. Wyn Lewis Age: 62. Employer: Densmore Financial Services. Education: Bachelor of arts, California State University at Fullerton. Experience: Eagle Point Parks commissioner, 30 years business management experience, school volunteer, Eagle Point Rotary member, Eagle Point Women's Club, Rogue Association of Financial and Insurance Advisors. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Reliable city services — especially those involving security — including adequate roadways, sidewalks, crosswalks, flood control, fire and police protection. Equal treatment for all neighborhoods. 2. Residential and commercial growth that is intelligently planned with adequate green space in order to avoid sprawl. 3. Protection of historical and environmental treasures. Richard Tree Age: 53. Employer: Qwest Communications for 32 years. Education: Certificates in solar energy, Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood, Colo.; CATV, University of Denver; graphic arts, Ferris State College, Big Rapids, Mich. Experience: Eagle Point Community Association, 10 years; Eagle Point Budget Committee, three years; Eagle Point Planning Commission, two years. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Urban growth boundary — organized plan of development. 2. Creating new business opportunities — improving streets and traffic flow for better access. 3. Safety for residents — quality improvements to streets, parks and police and fire departments. 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