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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Most residents speak against gas pipeline Two arrested in connection with Monday gunfire Deadly storm: Winds brought heavy across region Criminal charges won't be filed in pedestrian death From social media: the Rogue Valley storm Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Two arrested in connection with Monday gunfire Deadly storm: Winds brought heavy across region Criminal charges won't be filed in pedestrian death From social media: the Rogue Valley storm UPDATED: Man killed by falling tree while camping near Mount Ashland Politics and Elections Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Education A lesson in giving Hedrick student council works to clean up the language Table Rock solid: Elementary school praised for keeping attendance up Eagle Point superintendent invited to White House Eagle Point secures perimeter of Table Rock Elementary with new fence Environment Most residents speak against gas pipeline Coalition asks for defense of GMO ban Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River Jackson County judge dismisses one Mt. View Paving case State News GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Tribes can decide whether to legalize pot Lawyer says football player had altercation Congress keeps Coast Guard helicopter flying U of O, grad teachers reach deal Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Carolyn Sue Corzine Johnny William James Linda Katherine Heitkamp Mary Louise France Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Linfield unites for fallen teammate Duck star big winner at annual awards show Mariota's Moment Here's insight into new Beaver coach Warriors keep on rolling Varsity 541 College Sports Linfield unites for fallen teammate Duck star big winner at annual awards show Mariota's Moment Here's insight into new Beaver coach Columbia gives No. 1 Kentucky a scare Pro Sports Warriors keep on rolling Wiggins, Wolves stun Blazers 90-82 Bryant's late flurry lifts Lakers Blazers make it five straight Browns make the move, will start Manziel Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Blog: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like... K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks State lags on grocery inspections Blog: Bear Creek Plaza next up on the market Silvio Calabi: The world loves a Wrangler Real Estate News More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Flu shots less effective this year Jim Brock: We can move beyond torture Our View: Sentencing reform pays dividends Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Dana Milbank: Jonathan Gruber's bad day Editorials Our View: Sentencing reform pays dividends Our View: Find middle ground on timber policy Our View: Making sense of Medford crime numbers Our View: Land takeover a sincere but empty gesture Other Views: OSU rape case is a teaching opportunity Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 10 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 9 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 8 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 7 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Lifestyle Latest stories Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Progress on Prescott Park Gail Ciampa: Cookbook looks at food’s place in Jewish culture, history Religion news: Atheists launch holiday advertising campaign in Deep South Marketta Gregory: There is only one enemy Food Community blog: Choose presents cooks can cherish, not regift Roasted vegetables are rich, flavorful Food for Thought: Meal-planning hacks to help you dine fast and healthy Kitchen Call: Hints for gluten-free holidays Community blog: Merry Christmas 10 Barrel! (Big Brewery vs Small Independent Brewer) Home and Garden Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Remodeling your attic: Know the details before you start Dear Monty: When a lawyer’s fee is four times higher than the quote Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Health Community blog: Unsubscribe.com Community blog: Redefining Family Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Community blog: Guiltless Holidays Better for our Health HealthStyle: Develop an attitude of gratitude Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Time running out for O&C funds Hire 'em and pray for snow Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Gypsy Soul performs WinterSpring benefit This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist It's a Hamazon holiday at the Playwright Public House TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Andy McKee plays Rogue Theatre Theater This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Theater review: 'Fiddler' charms audience in magical Camelot performance Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall Music Gypsy Soul performs WinterSpring benefit Andy McKee plays Rogue Theatre SOU presents all-percussion concert Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' Community Events Rogue Valley Christmas light displays It's a Hamazon holiday at the Playwright Public House 4 Things to do this Week Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Dining Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Most residents speak against gas pipeline ... Two arrested in connection with Monday gunfire ... Deadly storm: Winds brought heavy across region ... Most residents speak against gas pipeline ... Two arrested in connection with Monday gunfire ... Deadly storm: Winds brought heavy across region ... OUR VIEW Our View: Commissioners invest in the future MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 2, 2014 @ 12:01 am Posted Nov. 2, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News Ask any local candidate for public office about the top issue facing Jackson County, and the answer will be the same: jobs. Southern Oregon lags behind other metropolitan areas of the state in unemployment and in wages, and everyone agrees the problem must be addressed. The question is how. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners has decided to support two approaches at once. After a spirited discussion in an Oct. 21 meeting, the commissioners voted 2-1 to back a proposal from development specialist Mark VonHolle, who believes an aggressive effort to lure high-tech companies from the San Francisco Bay Area will get results. At the same time, the commissioners agreed to increase the county's support for Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc., which among other things proposes to lure manufacturing businesses by doing preliminary site work for them. If either or both efforts succeed, it will be well worth the modest expense. And the commissioners attached enough conditions to the county's funding to protect its investment. In any case, two new commissioners will take office in January, and the new board will not be obligated to continue the funding. VonHolle asked for up to $100,000 a year for three years, to be matched by two other backers. The county's contribution is contingent upon VonHolle securing those other commitments, which he essentially must do by the end of the year. SOREDI's proposal involves working to create a "virtual building" — designed and displayed on a computer but not built — to show company officials considering a move to Jackson County. The SOREDI team also would secure initial approval and permits from local planning departments, so a company could start construction without the usual delays. And SOREDI will continue its other focus: helping existing businesses that want to grow. The commissioners agreed to support SOREDI's efforts to the tune of $123,000 a year for five years, an increase over the $26,000 the county has been contributing to the agency but still a relatively modest sum of money compared with the possible return. The commissioners instructed County Administrator Danny Jordan to draft tightly written contracts for both ventures that would require renewal of the funding each year contingent on detailed reports showing progress toward the goal of recruiting new industry. Creating jobs is never a sure thing. What the commissioners have done is to commit about $250,000 a year — the equivalent of three or four good jobs with benefits — for a potential return of many more. That's a reasonable investment.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 2, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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