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44 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, March 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend February 22, 2004 Gold Hill promises police force will survive departure By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — The city will lose half its police force when Chief Rod Countryman’s resignation goes into effect Saturday. But the mayor says the police station will remain open and a new chief will be hired. "We are not disbanding the police force," said Mayor Scott Eilefson. "We are going to begin looking for an interim chief immediately." Eilefson said the City Council met in a special session Thursday and agreed to immediately search for both an interim and permanent replacement for Countryman. One option being considered is promoting the other half of Gold Hill’s force, 12-year veteran officer Hank Hobart, said Eilefson. Countryman notified the council he would be leaving in a letter dated Feb. 18. Countryman said he has been working without a contract and had "discussed some issues with the mayor" prior to tendering his letter of resignation. Advertisement "I’m going to pursue other options," Countryman said, declining to be specific. He said he was not leaving the Rogue Valley nor retiring from law enforcement. When Countryman signed on in Gold Hill on April 1, 2002, he was the city’s only officer. The police department had been defunct for more than two years because of budget woes. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office had been providing law enforcement services on a fee basis. The city’s only police car had four flat tires, more than 106,000 miles on the odometer, a dead battery and a light bar that didn’t work. In addition, Countryman didn’t have a uniform, badge or even a ticket book. With the support of the community and the city, Countryman created a bona fide department and even garnered a donation of a new, $25,000 police car in 2003. Mark Guzy, who owns and operates Driven Images — a worldwide, high-end car rental agency — in Nevada, met Countryman while visiting Gold Hill and was impressed with the chief’s efforts on behalf of the town. He donated a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria with all the "bells and whistles" to the Gold Hill Police Department. Guzy also kicked in two additional mobile radios. Countryman procured a 1999 Ford Police Interceptor through a leasing program. Once crammed into a small room in City Hall, the police department has moved to a more spacious office next to the Gold Hill Market and Deli at 165 Fifth St. Countryman said he is pleased with the progress made during his tenure. But he still remembers that he wasn’t able to take a single day off for the first eight months of his tenure. Countryman was finally able to hire Hobart in 2003. But, he said, the work load was still challenging. "The best part of this job has been the incredible community support," said Countryman. "The downside has been not having any downtime." City Recorder Darla DenHerder said the council will hold another special session at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss Countryman’s replacement. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times