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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, January 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 15, 2004 Lindsay Berryman, who�ll be stepping down as Medford mayor this month, helped make the restoration of the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater a reality. It�s one of several projects that have brought a vibrant arts presence downtown. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Berryman revived Medford Her support of projects from Art in Bloom to the theater gave ‘Deadford’ new life By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune For outgoing Mayor Lindsay Berryman, the key to bringing vitality back to downtown Medford has been to play off its history. "The Craterian was a part of that," said Berryman, one of the primary forces behind the renovation of the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater. "It was part of the good old roaring ’20s days." Berryman will be banging the gavel for the last time at Thursday’s Medford City Council meeting. The city’s first woman mayor was elected in 1998, having served on the City Council from 1980 to 1986 and the Medford Urban Renewal Agency board from 1988 to 1998. Her priorities have been creating the city’s first vision strategic plan, rehabilitating Bear Creek and creating a Greenway, establishing a Multicultural Commission, managing growth and restoring the downtown area. Advertisement "She’s been fabulous for the arts and the spirit of downtown," said Judy Barnes, executive director of Rogue Gallery. Among her causes has been the annual spring art fair, which draws thousands of people. "Really, I don’t think Art in Bloom would exist without her," said Barnes. Barnes said with the presence of Rogue Community College and the new Central Library downtown, both projects with which Berryman had involvement, the Rogue Gallery has gone from sitting off the beaten path to being in the middle of the action. "I just think everything’s been looking up a lot," she said. Former Mayor Lou Hannum said Berryman was president of the council during his tenure, and the two are good friends. "She brings a lot of energy and ideas to the job and I think it shows in the fact that there’s been more vision and direction for the city to go," he said. He said she brings enthusiasm, dignity "and a little flair" to every meeting. "She’s brought a vision, brought the people together to define the future direction of the city," said Don Burt, MURA project manager and its former executive director. He also said she’s a good listener. "I think she’s just very approachable and people can talk to her," he said. He said she’s given the city direction to help determine how best to allocate its resources over time. "Ten years from now, it’ll be quite apparent what she’s accomplished," he said. Berryman said she’s seen the change already. "People talked about ‘Deadford’ and ‘Dreadford.’ That whole picture was turned around," she said. She declined to comment on her plans for future involvement in city projects. "My interests continue to lie with Bear Creek," she said. Berryman said she feels good about leaving the city to Gary Wheeler, who’ll be sworn in as the new mayor in January. "Medford’s in very good hands," said Berryman. "He’s an excellent communicator, an excellent facilitator. He’s a hometown boy who embodies the past, the present and the future." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers