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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment 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 Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info 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 December 12, 2006 Wheeler's State of the City address praises Medford By GREG STILES Mail Tribune Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler said Monday his city has moved beyond a tipping point, passing from a sleepy little town along the West Coast's north-south freeway corridor into a vibrant community with much to offer its growing populace. In a State of the City message delivered to The Chamber of Medford/Jackson County's monthly Forum, Wheeler said the city is developing economic stability with an educated workforce. "The changes on the horizon," Wheeler said, "will forever change this sleepy town into a vibrant city. We're no longer a stop or pass-through on Interstate 5. We've become a great place to live, work and play." He attributed the city's 4.7 percent unemployment rate to organizations such as the chamber and Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc., which have helped create a diversified economy. Those changes in the city's character, he said, are leading to the development of new parks and the pursuit of a long-desired aquatic center to replace aging swimming pools at Hawthorne and Jackson parks. Advertisement "Medford has the oldest pools, I think, in the state of Oregon," Wheeler said. "Both Jackson and Hawthorne are major leakers, to the tune of about 4,000 gallons a day when they are full." The mayor also suggested priorities for the coming year will include public safety staffing and looking for ways to replace or improve fire stations on the southwest corner of Siskiyou and Highland and southeast corner of Lincoln and 8th. "We have two aging fire stations that were built in the '50s and the one on Lincoln and 8th can't handle any of our large apparatuses; it's a very small station. We need to start looking at where we will reposition our fire stations for serving the needs of the population." Parks, fire and police departments will get a financial boost if the City Council gives the final go-ahead later this month to two fees that would add $5.16 a month to city residents' water bills. A first reading of the fee ordinance was approved Thursday. Wheeler said "one of the final pieces" in building a great community is creating affordable housing. "I know that causes some anguish among some people, but I think we need to start working with our development community, the city and other groups to look at affordable housing," he said. "Affordable housing is not low-income housing ... this is the housing a working person can live in and buy." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail [email protected] . 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 Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com