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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News 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 Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley 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 October 10, 2006 Three in the running for Gold Hill mayor Former mayor, current candidate Michael Stanley shares his goals By Sanne Specht Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — Three candidates are vying for Gold Hill's vacant mayor's seat. But only one appears willing to talk to the Mail Tribune about issues that continue to trouble the small town after former mayor Sherry Young abruptly quit her position in July. Candidates Allan D. Jennings Jr. and Daniel Morris II did not return repeated phone calls left by Mail Tribune staff members over several weeks asking for their views for this story. They also did not return questionnaires sent by mail requesting their qualifications and goals for the city. Candidate Michael S. Stanley said a recent recall election and ongoing battle between the council and police management are just another chapter for a town that is historically contentious. "There's always been divisiveness," said Stanley, 52, a former Gold Hill councilman, council president and mayor. "I don't know if there's an answer. The smaller towns seem to have a problem." Young resigned after supporting an unsuccessful recall against three fellow council members — Gus Wolf, Donna Silva and Jan Fish — and before completing her two-year term. Young said she resigned because she was moving to Grants Pass and because she grew tired of dealing with ongoing contention between the City Council and the town's small police department. Advertisement Stanley, a construction inspector for the city of Medford who served in Gold Hill politics from 1987 to 1997, said police want to "do their thing" while the council "wants accountability." He said he supports a local police department as long as it is held accountable for its actions. Stanley said growth also can be controversial in small towns. He's in favor of growth as long as the city can support it. Solving the city's water problems will be a top priority for him if elected, he said. "I don't see how a city can grow until there's an ample supply of water," Stanley said. Though the town has a new water treatment plant, it lacks adequate storage, with just one reservoir in town, he said. Allan Jennings is a utility operator for the city's public works department. In a previous interview, Jennings, 52, said he has lived in the city for 42 years and that he knows how to "run a meeting and maintain a meeting." City Attorney Steve Rich has advised Jennings his candidacy creates a potential conflict of interest. The city's charter prohibits Jennings from accepting a paycheck as a public works employee while acting as the mayor. Jennings has said he disagrees with the attorney's assessment, adding that if elected he would recuse himself from any vote that might create a conflict of interest. According to his candidacy papers filed with the city, Daniel Morris is a small-business owner and a graduate of Chapman College in Orange, Calif. He served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force. In Gold Hill council races, Wolf and Silva are running for re-election. No one has filed for two seats being vacated by Mike Hicks and Tom Daily. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . CANDIDATE MICHAEL S. STANLEY: Age: 52. Employment: Construction inspector for the city of Medford. Education: Graduate of Amador High School, Pleasanton, Calif. Served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1977 as an A-7D crew chief. Experience: Previous terms as mayor (two), councilman and council president; member of the Planning Commission, four years; member of the Public Works Committee, four years. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Continue the quest for a new water reservoir, which I started 10 years ago. 2. Keep our city spending within its budget. 3. Assure that my fellow taxpayers get their money's worth from city services. 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 Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com