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Councilman proposes two more wards By JESSICA SMITH Medford would be better represented if it were split into six political wards instead of four, a City Council member says. Bill Moore, who represents Ward 4 in east Medford, said he proposed creating the two additional districts to give more representation to individual neighborhoods. "The neighborhood is the building block of our city," Moore said, after presenting his suggestion to the council at a noon session Thursday. "Neighborhood sovereignty is so important. Smaller wards (that give residents a) closer relationship with a council person are vital." Moore suggested dividing the city into six wards, giving each one seat on the council. Two additional council members would be elected at-large to represent the whole city, under Moore's proposal. The city is currently split into four wards - two in east Medford and two in the west side of town - with two council members elected in each district. Though some members said they'd consider Moore's idea, others said they see no reason to change the number of political wards. "I think we have equality (in the wards) now," said Councilman Sal Esquivel. "I like it the way it is." According to Esquivel and others, creating two at-large council positions could create an imbalance in representation on the council. The concern, they say, is that one area may have more representation than others. Moore said that's an issue for voters to decide. "There's always an assumption that (at-large council members) would come from one area. I don't think that's so," he said. Moore said he plans to pursue placing a measure before voters asking them to divide the city into six political wards. The council would decide whether to refer that question to voters. Meanwhile, city staff are working to redefine the boundaries of Medford's four council wards. Using population data from the U.S. Census Bureau, city staffers will redraw Medford's political districts to include an equal number of residents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Medford's population reached 63,154 in 2000. Under the city's existing ward structure, each district should include about 15,788 residents. The number of residents who now live in each ward was not immediately available Thursday. The council will review the redistricting proposals at a yet unscheduled study session. A public hearing would be held on any redistricting plan before it could be implemented. In related news, the council on Thursday endorsed a resolution requesting Secretary of State Bill Bradbury to reconsider his redistricting plan for Oregon. Council members said they were concerned about the potential loss of representation in Southern Oregon. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.