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Small-town races Money issues ahead in Phoenix, Shady Cove, Talent From staff reports Residents in several small Rogue Valley cities and towns faced choices for mayor and city council, considered charter changes and looked at levies. Here's a roundup, based on unofficial results from Tuesday night totals: GOLD HILL Incumbent Laura Liddell was leading in the race for mayor, with 78 percent of the vote, or 65 votes, to Christine Alford's 22 percent, or 18 votes. Liddell, 37, also a Central Point School District employee, says her goals are to "continue the progress towards enhancing the positive aspects of our community, and to get solid policies in place that will assist in improving operations of the city." Liddell was appointed to the post this past summer following the resignation of then-interim Mayor Rob Lowe. Five Gold Hill City Council candidates ran for three at-large seats. On Tuesday night, the top vote-getters were: bank teller Lisa Alexander, 45 votes (23 percent of the vote); former council member and restaurant owner Hy Klaus, 44 votes (44 percent); and tied for third with 37 percent, or 37 votes apiece, were Donna Silva, a wild-mushroom buyer and seasonal pear packer, and contractor Ron Coates. Interim council member Gregory Fehl had 32 votes, or 16 percent of the vote. Gold Hill voters also appeared to want the City Council to contract with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for police protection. The vote was for advisory purposes only; preliminary numbers showed 57 percent, or 46 votes, in favor; 43 percent, or 35 votes, against. JACKSONVILLE The four-way race for three open seats on the City Council looked like this Tuesday night: Veteran Jacksonville treasurer and recorder Doris Crofoot, 158 votes (30 percent); Bill Leep, a three-year Jacksonville Planning Commission member and self-employed businessman, 141 votes (26 percent); Dean Paddison, a publications director and graphic artist, 141 votes (26 percent). Carla Palmese, an artist and designer, had 95 votes, or about 18 percent. Mayor Jim Lewis was unopposed in his bid for re-election. PHOENIX In Phoenix, incumbent Mayor and local RV park owner Larry Parducci looked to stay in office, with 237 votes, or 74 percent, to challenger Pat Burton's 83 votes, or 26 percent. Parducci said his priorities are to improve the community's infrastructure. He wants to see the completion of the Phoenix-Talent water system intertie, the Fern Valley interchange on Interstate 5 and the city's comprehensive plan. The city's $1.2 million, five-year operating tax for general and emergency services appeared to be passing, with 155 for and 109 against. The levy would restore police officers and firefighters cut from previous budgets, buy emergency vehicles and replace City Hall's roof. Also, voters liked a change to the city's charter, 198 to 41. One major change allows the council to refer proposed annexations to voters. Other changes include redefining the powers and duties of the municipal court and judge, and giving authority over appointive officers to the City Council rather than to the mayor. ROGUE RIVER In the City Council Position 5 race, retired professor Barbara Gunning, with 143 votes or 55 percent of the vote, was leading homemaker Barbara Osborne, who had 116 votes, or 45 percent. The city's charter also appeared likely to change, making council members elected at large and not by position. That measure was passing 198 to 41. Running unopposed were Mayor Dick Handbury and City Councilmen Orman Jorgensen and Phil Peeters. SHADY COVE In Shady Cove, the two apparent victors for the open City Council seats were also tied, at almost 41 percent of the vote apiece. Incumbent Jack Henson had 108 votes, as did Planning Commission Chairman Fred Wendt. Trailing was retired general contractor Roy Staton with 49 votes. Mayor Robert Anderson ran unopposed. The city's five-year, $330,000 levy to restore two police officers was passing narrowly, 108 to 81. The money offsets the loss of federal grants that paid for hiring of officers. The city wants to restore staffing levels to what they were before September, when officers left for places offering better pay and more stability. The city now has one police officer and the chief of police, although the area is growing with commercial and residential development. Also, voters were approving a measure to adopt a new charter, repealing the city's 1972 charter 198 to 41. TALENT A measure that would pay the mayor $150 per month and council members $125 per month was passing, 237 to 209. The measure, which doesn't affect tax rates, takes effect Jan. 1. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA