Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW BLM plan focuses on environment and recreation ... Drive-by shooter gets 8 years ... OSF and bookstore at odds over banned books display ... BLM plan focuses on environment and recreation ... Drive-by shooter gets 8 years ... OSF and bookstore at odds over banned books display ... GUEST OPINION Local lawmakers support Patridge By Alan Bates, Peter Buckley and Sal Esquivel MailTribune.com By Alan Bates, Peter Buckley and Sal Esquivel Posted Aug. 2, 2016 @ 12:01 am By Alan Bates, Peter Buckley and Sal Esquivel Posted Aug. 2, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Editor's note: This letter was sent last week to Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler and the other members of the Medford City Council. We respect each of you as individually elected officials and the commitment you have made to serve Medford. However, we are concerned about the stated rationale for not hiring Rob Patridge as Medford’s next city manager and its impact on our ability to support our region as well as the message it sends to the rest of Oregon. We are primarily concerned with questions raised related to Rob’s participation as the chair of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Collectively, we have fought to gain relevance and ensure that Southern Oregon’s voice is heard on a statewide level. One of the primary ways we have done this is through key appointments on boards and commissions. Legislators work vigorously and competitively to convince the governor, speaker of the House, Senate president and fellow legislators to appoint qualified individuals from their district. The OLCC is a coveted and key appointment. Should Medford fail to select Rob Patridge as city manager by a veto or council no vote based upon his participation on the OLCC, the city clearly sends the wrong message to our colleagues in Salem. The basis of your action could make it difficult for us to continue to do our job in representing you and getting others appointed in the future. Oregon leaders expect cities to participate in the functions of state government and the development of statewide policy. Most cities allow their staff to participate on statewide boards, commissions and advisory groups and committees without question. Oregon places high values on government transparency, collaboration and volunteerism and cities play a key role in the process. Service on the OLCC has a direct and tangible impact on our region, not only in alcohol and marijuana regulation, but also on economic development, land use, water policy, state police and social services. Each of us has worked with Rob Patridge for over a decade. We have fought bitterly with him at times and also stood arm-in-arm; we know him well. Any argument that Rob Patridge cannot do the job of city manager we believe is unfounded. Rob is a highly dedicated public servant with a track record of over two decades of successful public service. He has boundless energy, which he has demonstrated by his reputation of being one of the first in the building in the morning and the last to leave at night. He is collaborative, fair and dedicated. His management and leadership skills in turning around the OLCC and the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office are a clear testament to his abilities. Finally, if press accounts are correct, there appear to be communication issues and division between and among city staff as well as council members. Rob has spent two decades in public service demonstrating a skill set that will help the staff and the council raise the level of professionalism, discourse and communication. The people who have stepped forward from differing political, economic and social backgrounds are a clear testament to his fairness, openness and management skills. Thank you for your consideration. State Sen. Alan Bates, State Rep. Peter Buckley and State Rep. Sal Esquivel represent Medford and other parts of Jackson County in the Oregon Legislature. By Alan Bates, Peter Buckley and Sal Esquivel MailTribune.com By Alan Bates, Peter Buckley and Sal Esquivel Posted Aug. 2, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501