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SUNNY Temp: 49 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 5, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend February 5, 2003 Alzheimer’s center at Rogue River school — not so fast By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — School Board Chairman Johney Myers has denied a rumor that he wants to turn Evans Valley Elementary School into an Alzheimer’s home. Contrary to comments he made to other district officials late last month, Myers categorically denied any personal interest in the property. Myers speculates his comments regarding the future of the little school collided with a development project he is working on in Rogue River — an Alzheimer’s care center, low-income apartments and residential housing. Myers’ comments to board member Traycee Geddes and Superintendent Charles Hellman after a January meeting created questions of potential bias and conflict of interest for the board chairman. Geddes and Hellman agree Myers made statements about building an Alzheimer’s facility at the school in the event of its closure because of declining enrollment. Geddes said Myers made several statements indicating interest in pursuing the project "once the school closes." "He said there was a lot of money in Alzheimer’s homes and this (Evans Valley Elementary) was a perfect location. I don’t honestly know if he was joking or not, but the comments did cause me some concern once I really thought about them," said Geddes. Hellman said he remembered Myers making more speculative statements. "I don’t remember it quite that way (as Geddes)," said Hellman. "It was more along the lines of ‘people are interested in setting up Alzheimer’s centers and this would be a good place’...." Myers denied making the comments, but also said anyone who stated he had would "not necessarily be lying." Myers stated unequivocally he was not seeking to purchase Evans Valley school. "It’s not for sale and I’m not concerned with any negotiations to buy it," said Myers. Myers said he believed the school eventually would have to close, but that it wouldn’t be on his vote. "I, Johney Myers, will never support the closure of Evans Valley," said Myers. "The people of the community have spoken and I will respect that decision." Evans Valley Elementary has lost nearly 100 students in the past eight years. Talk of closing the school in 2001 created a nine-month controversy that ended with a unanimous decision by the board to keep the school open. Myers said he was in negotiations with partners to purchase two adjacent properties totaling 6.28 acres at the 500 block of Main Street. The two adjacent properties are zoned commercial and multi-residential. Myers sees the property as prime for a multi-use project. "We’re going to build a premier Alzheimer’s facility, some low-income apartments and residential housing," said Myers. "It’s going to be a major project and just wonderful for our community." Myers said school board member and city councilman Dick Handbury was working with him on the Rogue River project. Handbury said he attended a meeting with Myers and others regarding the acquisition of the Main Street properties. Handbury said he’s not in financial partnership with Myers but participated in the project in an advisory capacity. Handbury said that $750,000 in improvements to Evans Valley school, part of a bond measure approved in November 2000, is out to bid. "We are going ahead with the Evans Valley remodel," said Handbury. "We’re moving ahead." Mike Kuntz is a member of the Vision Committee — a volunteer organization working to encourage enrollment in Rogue River Schools. Kuntz has children at Evans Valley school and wants to see it remain open. Kuntz said whether Myers should recuse himself because of potential bias is one for Myers’ conscience. "If he has a personal interest in the property, he should recuse himself," said Kuntz. "But if he doesn’t, he has a duty to vote." Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S