Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 11, 2006 Paul Becker Age: 76. Employment: Writer, based at home Education: Bachelor of arts degree, California State Los Angeles. Experience: Member of Shady Cove Planning Commission. Designed, implemented and maintained large business system computers and designed office and computer system layouts for each of three facility moves. Advertisement Top three priorities if elected: 1. To ensure the best possible design and location for consolidation of city offices. The proposed location has flaws that need to be addressed. The exterior design should fit in with the rest of the city. The methodology and reasoning of combining police and fire department operations need to be reassessed. 2. City codes should be designed to help downtown businesses. The city has the power to help with tax incentives and the ability to attract new business. The importance of this cannot be overstated. A thriving downtown means a thriving Jacksonville, which helps lower the tax burden for all its citizens. 3. Many people cannot afford new or increased taxes. I would want a thorough review of all funding, an estimate of future needs based on projected growth, and a panel of citizens brought together in a "think-tank" to explore ideas to raise capital outside of the traditional step of raising taxes. Criss Garcia 34. Employment: Database administrator for Ashland. Education: Bachelor of arts, environmental biology, University of Montana. Experience: Direct experience with city councils as database administrator for Ashland. Owned small business and was on a corporate board of directors. Spent two years as a trustee for the Ashland Elks. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Protect Jacksonville's Historic Landmark designation through limiting growth. Jacksonville's future depends on maintaining the existing urban growth boundary and ensuring new development projects within the city are compatible with the historic downtown core. We should partner with Jackson County to protect traditional agriculture lands around the perimeter of the city. 2. Jacksonville has traditionally depended on gold-rush tourism and the Britt Festivals as economic pillars of the community. Both bring seasonal visitors and have fairly narrow appeal. Diverse, year-round attractions need to be developed to attract visitors, residents and businesses to a broad, sustainable and less seasonal economic base. 3. How we expand Jacksonville's city facilities will have a longer lasting impact on our city than anything else the council might do in the next 20 years. We need buildings that accommodate the city's long-term needs, respect our historic town character and do not overextend the city's residents financially. Bruce Garrett Age: 59. Employment: Owner of ARCHIVE-CD LLC. Education: Master in business administration, Southwest University, New Orleans, La.; bachelor of science in psychology, Utah State University, Logan; associate of science in nursing, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah; bachelor of science in biology, USU; associate of arts in chemical engineering, Eastern Iowa College, Muscatine, Iowa. Experience: Chairman and member of Budget Committee, Special Hospital District; board secretary, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; board member, Jacksonville-Applegate Community Education Trust, Inc.; board member, Rotary Club of Jacksonville-Applegate; board vice president, American Cancer Society; president-elect, president, past president and chairman, Budget & Finance Committee, New Mexico Organization of Nurse Executives; numerous other positions and organizations. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Talk with the citizens of Jacksonville about what they feel is their top three priorities. 2. Continue to study, research and become more familiar with the issues facing the City Council. 3. Improve working conditions in existing city offices. John Dodero Age: 59. Employment: Studio potter, 35 years. Education: High school and City College graduate in merchandising. Experience: Chairman of Planning Commission, four years; chairman of Historical Architectural Committee, eight years; City Council, eight years (two as council president). Top priorities if elected: 1. Maintaining community, the interaction and interdependence that makes this a unique town to reside. It would be easy for a town like ours to become a bedroom community; this leads to a population that tends not to get involved and interact with fellow townspeople. 2. We need to find ways to make it possible for a wide range of people to live in Jacksonville. In my view, mono-cultures are not healthy and not conducive to a dynamic community. 3. I would like to have some input on the county level to encourage a process to assess the holding capacity of the Rogue Valley and use that as our guiding principle for growth rather than some arbitrary number arrived at through a number-crunching exercise. Chris Gilman Age: 39. Employment: Fourth-grade teacher in the Medford School District. Education: Bachelor's of science degree in education, Linfield College; master of science in curriculum and instruction, Southern Oregon University. Experience: President, Howard Elementary School Site Council; president, Jacksonville Fire Association Engine Co. No. 1; building representative, Medford Education Association. Top three priorities if elected: 1. To protect the rural setting of Jacksonville, the urban growth boundaries need to be carefully maintained. If it is found there is not enough developmental area, it will be essential for the livability of Jacksonville to be very selective of the areas to adopt in regards to viewshed and benefits. 2. Jacksonville has outgrown its City Hall and fire facilities. In the fire department, there is barely room to don safety gear to deploy for an emergency. Neither building has capabilities of adding on. It is a priority for the safety of Jacksonville to carefully choose a location for these buildings. 3. It is important to support Jacksonville businesses as well as promote tourism while maintaining the town's historic appeal. To do this and retain a family feel, there needs to be open communication between the Chamber of Commerce and the City Council. I would like to be part of that communication. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com