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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 13, 2006 Former Medford mayor declares candidacy By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Things have changed in the nearly 30 years since Al Densmore was first elected mayor of Medford. Some of those changes have prompted him to announce that he will seek election to the City Council in November. Densmore, 59, who will run for an open council seat, said Monday he has concerns about plans to significantly increase the city's urban growth boundary and the community's ability to deal with that expansion. "How much growth can you permit in this community, particularly if you're short on the public services?" said Densmore, who recently filed his candidacy form with the city. Densmore served as Medford's mayor from 1977 to 1983, taking office after serving three terms in the Oregon Legislature. He ran unsuccessfully in 1976 for secretary of state, in 1982 for the 2nd District congressional seat and in 1988 for the state Senate. Densmore currently owns an insurance and financial planning company and is on the board of the Southern Oregon Education Service District. He said if elected he would push the council to examine the city's planning policies. "I have a sense that the development code puts the burden of proof on the local community to show why we shouldn't permit growth," he said. "I think the question ought to be reversed." Densmore is running for the council seat currently held by Jim Key, who has announced he will not seek re-election. Each of the city's four wards will have a council position on the ballot in the November election. Glenda Owens, city recorder, said six potential candidates in all have picked up paperwork, including incumbents Skip Knight and Bob Strosser. She said the city does not consider someone a candidate until he or she files preliminary forms, as Densmore has done. Densmore, a registered Independent, said he was motivated to run in part by a decline in federal and state assistance to local governments. "More and more, things are going to have to be solved by communities working together," he said. Densmore said he wants to address funding issues for basic city services, among them a proposal by the Medford Police Department to add more personnel. "I'm wondering whether or not we can afford that," he said. "Maybe we need to solve our community policing problem in a little different way." Mayor Gary Wheeler said he was glad to hear of Densmore's candidacy. "He's not going to be a special-interest candidate," he said. He also said Densmore's concern about city services is at the top of a list the council will address in the next year. "We're going to look at how we deliver these essential services and what will the price be," he said. Wheeler said the ongoing Regional Problem Solving process, designed to adopt a regionwide plan for urban growth over the next 40 to 60 years, is the kind of local cooperation Densmore is advocating. Wheeler said he looks forward to learning who else will file candidacy papers. "Hopefully, we'll see some competitive races," said Wheeler. "There's an opportunity for people to get involved in city government." In addition to Key, Councilwoman Claudette Moore of Ward 3 has said she will not seek re-election. Potential candidates must complete election forms and file them with the city prior before beginning a campaign. For more information, contact Glenda Owens, city recorder, Room 382, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford, or call 774-2017. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy