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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories New program helps socialize shelter dogs coming to Jackson County 10 things to know for Monday Red tape slows plans to remove blow-down trees at Howard Prairie Medford planners raise concerns about traffic at proposed new Costco Emergency Services, May 11 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, May 11 Emergency services, May 10 Emergency services, May 9 Jackson County deputies searching for wanted man after pursuit Medford man sentenced in machete attack Politics and Elections Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Education Medford schools still filling admin roles Appeals court rules against Central Point schools on bus outsourcing Hedrick principal to take helm at North Medford High School More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Elementary students honor local police officers Environment Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford State News Josephine County preps for more budget cuts Oregon winemakers say trade deal would help open up export markets Remains of soldier killed in 1951 to be buried in Roseburg Obama makes pitch on trade deal at Nike: 'Just do it' Forecast for 2015 predicts busy wildfire season Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Johnny Lawrence Wyncoop Jr. Kenneth Lee Nichols Gary Clark Young June Cowell Duhaime Margaret K. Bluto Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Clippers rout Rockets to take 3-1 lead Beavers, Utes tie in 15 Fowler delivers major performance at Players LeBron’s game-winner evens series at 2 Late lift Varsity 541 College Sports Beavers, Utes tie in 15 OSU tosses second straight shutout Maguin steals the show Trio of Raiders shine as CC meet opens Beavers' Moore shuts out Utah, 3-0 Pro Sports Clippers rout Rockets to take 3-1 lead Fowler delivers major performance at Players LeBron’s game-winner evens series at 2 Late lift Wambach scores twice in U.S. win Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Business Latest Stories Cars We Remember: Noted musician unravels 55-year Nash Rambler mystery Pacificorp plans solar farm at former Bly mill site People in Business Business briefs: Avista, Mcintosh, BOLI Blog: 1-800-Flowers.com SEC filing provides peek into Harry & David revenue and cost figures Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Dianne Williamson: Enough of ‘Say it isn’t so’ Letters to the Editor, May 11 Kathleen Parker: Geller has the right, but commits speech abuse Our View: Mental health funding should be a priority Letters to the Editor, May 10 Editorials Our View: Mental health funding should be a priority Other Views: Court ruling means PERS reform is dead Our View: Could self-serve ban be on the way out? Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Set firm deadlines on blighted houses Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 11 Letters to the Editor, May 10 Letters to the Editor, May 8 Letters to the Editor, May 7 Letters to the Editor, May 6 Columns Kathleen Parker: Geller has the right, but commits speech abuse Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers George Will: The gospel according to Huckabee Dana Milbank: A performance by Lindsey and the Jets Charles Krauthammer: Free Willy! Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan Lifestyle Latest stories It Is What It Is: The fruits of honest labor are mighty tasty Home Help: Create the perfect outdoor kitchen space Community blog: Fruity french toast makes Mom's, or anyone's, day Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Cars We Remember: Noted musician unravels 55-year Nash Rambler mystery Food Community blog: Fruity french toast makes Mom's, or anyone's, day Community blog: Sorry, Mom, there's more than one beef stroganoff Community blog: Teatime is anytime when recipes brew new dishes Eat your greens (tea, that is) Season Stepp: Make some cheesecake mousse-filled strawberries Home and Garden Home Help: Create the perfect outdoor kitchen space One-derful once-blooming roses Breathe easier with whole-house air purification Dear Monty: Water rights of property owners Paul Rogers: ‘Living’ mulches a healthy alternative to bark Health Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day New cardiac rehab center opens at Asante RRMC Community blog: You and Me at 83... Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Milestones and Achievements Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Pick your favorite wedding flowers Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest Dancing People Company presents 'Salon Series' Theater REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Music Live Music in Local Clubs Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest The Farr Side: Mumford & Sons’ latest is full-on rock Tina Malia at SOU Music Hall in Ashland Earthquake benefit for Nepal Community Events 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Movies Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Tom Hardy adapts to life as Mad Max Victor D. Infante: ‘Avengers’ begs the questions, ‘Why superheroes, and why now?’ Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Dining Restaurant inspections: May 10, 2015 Wood-fired pies at Peace of Pizza Trium is a classic example of a boutique winery Restaurant inspections, May 3, 2015 Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW New program helps socialize shelter dogs coming to Jackson County ... Red tape slows plans to remove blow-down trees at Howard Prairie ... Medford planners raise concerns about traffic at proposed new Costco ... New program helps socialize shelter dogs coming to Jackson County ... Red tape slows plans to remove blow-down trees at Howard Prairie ... Medford planners raise concerns about traffic at proposed new Costco ... ANOTHER VIEW Don't overlook importance of Jackson County commissioners race Comment By Jack Duggan MailTribune.com By Jack Duggan Posted Oct. 19, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Jack Duggan Posted Oct. 19, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News  Jackson County commissioners have a very complex job.  Counties are complex organizations, with dozens of distinct functions, and overseen by commissioners who act as the executive, legislative and, sometimes, the judicial branch of government. The county commissioners are policy makers, determining the mission and goals for county government.  To realize those goals they must oversee multiple departments, multiple budgets, and multiple personnel.  They are the supervisors of county management, making sure county departments are managed so that their function and personnel provide the best service to all citizens.  As the executive branch of local government, commissioners levy local taxes, administer county services such as public works, public health, land use, building codes, the airport, water rights and more.  Other duties may include contract negotiations with labor unions and vendors, managing major projects, selecting service organizations and relationships with state and federal governments.  They must also work cooperatively with 13 incorporated cities in the county, each very different from the others.  Jackson County citizens have an opportunity this November to elect a majority of their commissioners.  Incumbents Don Skundrick and John Rachor are ending their terms of service.  Six candidates are running to fill those two seats, all of them commissioner hopefuls who have never before held the office. For Position 1 there are four candidates.  Curt Ankenberg, Curt Chancler, Rick Dyer and Tonia Moro are all campaigning to get the job.  All of them except Ankenberg have campaign web sites (curtchancler.com and usobserver.com; electrickdyer.com; votefortonia.com) and can be found on Facebook.  All four candidates have statements in the Voters’ Pamphlet. The two candidates for Position 3 also have websites and statements in the Voters’ Pamphlet.  Colleen Roberts (colleenroberts.net) and Kevin Talbert (kevintalbertforcommissioner.com) face off in a traditional two-way race.   Most people know that the county commissioners determine the annual budget for all county departments, as well as determining the county’s portion of partnerships with state and federal programs.  Jackson County has done well financially by county commissioners with experience in managing multiple budgets, an administration that has advised them well and department heads who are encouraged to make the most of their dollars.  Each year commissioners must not only determine how to allocate available funds, but how to use those monies in county operations as an investment for the future.  It is a complex balancing act, requiring a thorough understanding of the situation today, and a reasoned and informed perspective on what is likely to happen tomorrow.  In selecting the new majority for our county commissioners, we must consider who is best qualified to take on such issues as increasing stress on our water resources, updating our infrastructure for transportation, communication, economic development and community health.  They are our voice in dealing with the state and federal government, from highways to air quality, from public resources to national interests.  We must choose the people who can best represent those issues for the county’s future. Regardless of political affiliation, we have the chance this November to influence the course of our county for this century.  It is critically important that we be thorough in our review of the candidates, practical in our view of the county’s function, and very honest with ourselves about what’s best for the entire community.  Thanks to digital communications, we have an opportunity to get a very close look at the candidates, their histories, their qualifications, their views and their statements.  We can evaluate them in detail so we can learn who is going to be the best person to improve the quality of life in Jackson County. Too many people will vote without doing this necessary homework, which is the responsibility of living in a democracy.  Many will not even vote.  As a veteran I feel great sorrow when I hear that only 30 or 40 percent of eligible voters have cast a ballot.  The May primary saw a high turnout, yet far too many people are not voting, a relatively easy process with Oregon’s vote-by-mail. The United States set the standard for democracy worldwide, yet we do a poor job of practicing it.  The founding principles of this country hold that everyone who can vote should be eligible and that everyone who is eligible will vote.  Let’s see how much of that we can make happen in November.   Jack Duggan lives in the Applegate. By Jack Duggan MailTribune.com By Jack Duggan Posted Oct. 19, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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 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 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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