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WHAT : United Medford Citizens WHEN : 7 p.m. every other Monday, before each Medford City Council meeting WHERE : Lions Sight and Hearing Center, 228 N. Holly St., Medford WHO : All community members are welcome. "If a person is interested in civic affairs and is interested enough to come to the meetings, we accept him or her," says chairman Ernest Garb. Some watchdogs join government By JIM DAVIS More than a year and a half ago, United Medford Citizens grew out of outrage over what members saw as back-room politics in Medford government. Even though the initial furor has died down, the watchdog group continues to keep an eye on city affairs. Now many members have gained an insider's view: several have joined government boards and committees, and now the City Council, too. "The thing that binds us together is the fact that we do not wish Medford politics to be back-room, minority caucus," said Bob Tull, a city planning commissioner who was one of the original members of the group. Medford City Councilman Bill Moore often attends the meetings and said that he's glad to see the civic activism. "It's gratifying to see people out there take an interest in city government," Moore said. From a dozen to as many as 35 people meet on the Monday before each Medford City Council meeting. They usually hear from a guest speaker and always review and discuss the council's agenda. The group first met in July 1997, just weeks after four council members and the mayor agreed to give City Manager Andy Anderson a letter with an ultimatum to quit or be fired. The incident prompted Tull and his friends in the informal kaffeeklatsch to do something. "The group came together in outrage because we felt that Anderson -- whether or not he was serving the city well -- had been badly treated," Tull said. The coffee drinkers soon attracted others. The group swelled to about 50 people and adopted a name and a set of bylaws. United Medford filed complaints to the state attorney general's office and voiced opinions to council members about the way Anderson's dismissal was handled -- to no avail. "Obviously it was a fait accompli by the time we entered the scene," said Ernest Garb, the group's chairman. But members felt there was a need for a watchdog citizens group where the council was concerned, Garb said. He attends City Council meetings frequently to offer the group's opinion. The group has a diverse membership -- differing political backgrounds, professions and beliefs. Most are older; some are Medford natives, some are newly arrived. They take stands on a variety of issues. Last year, the group argued against the city paying a consultant $104,000 for a vision statement. The City Council later hired a consultant with the stipulation that costs not exceed $55,000. Also last year, United Medford unsuccessfully argued for a change in the way planning issues are brought before the City Council. "We hope we have made a difference, but who can tell?" Garb said. The group has at least captured the attention of public officials. United Medford has been able to attract guest speakers from department heads to City Councilman Skip Knight, who helped force Anderson's ouster. Last fall, the group organized a series of debates between candidates for mayor and county commissioner. "It's a group that I think is well enough informed that they can ask some very pointed questions," Tull said. Moore attends as many meetings as possible and answers questions about that week's City Council agenda. He also uses the group as a sounding board. And the constituency is keeping connected to the government. John Michaels, a former member of the group, was elected to the Medford City Council last November. Current member Molly Elliott ran unsuccessfully for a council seat. Many members belong to the city's Citizen Planning Advisory Committee. Elliott said that it was groups like United Medford and the planning advisory committee that allowed her to see that her opinions could and should be heard. Those small groups, Elliott said, gave her a chance to get involved with city politics without being intimidated. Garb said the group will continue to meet. "I think it's a good thing we are here -- I think we're beneficial," Garb said. "I hope we exist for a long time." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA