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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 27, 2006 Medford City Council President Skip Knight�s passion is his Harley-Davidson, a 1981 Heritage Edition. Knight is battling throat cancer. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Facing life, and cancer, head on Longtime city councilman won’t let throat cancer slow him down By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Skip Knight is facing cancer the way he faces everything — head on. "It’s just one of those bumps in life that you go through," said Knight, 66, a Medford city councilman for nearly a dozen years. Knight learned he had throat cancer after finding a lump on his neck more than a month ago. He is now receiving weekly doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatments five times a week. He said at some point he may undergo surgery. "They tell me I’ll have to have a feeding tube" as treatment progresses, he said. His throat muscles will atrophy and he’ll have to learn to swallow again. Advertisement But he’s staying optimistic. "There’s a lot of people are a lot worse off than I am," said Knight. "Sure, it’s an inconvenience. Me, compared to other people, it’s a cake walk. "At least I’m going to end up with all my body parts." He describes his form of cancer as "a smoker or drinker cancer." He quit drinking 26 years ago and hasn’t smoked for two years. He is still keeping up his 30 hours per week of council sessions and other meetings, he said. "There’s really no difficulties at this point in time," he said, although noting he is a little tired. "They said I’m going to be losing my hair. I said that’s all right. Everything’s relative — it grows back." Knight has been a member of the City Council since 1995 and is currently the council president. He has served on several transportation committees, including the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which coordinates major transportation projects throughout the region. Knight, now retired, has worked as a human resources manager, managed a Snap-On Tool dealership and worked in the criminal justice system. He also drove a school bus for Laidlaw in recent years. But his real passion is his Hog: a 1981 Heritage Edition olive drab and burnt orange Harley-Davidson. Knight, who has a poster of the "Easy Rider" movie signed by Peter Fonda in his home, began riding motorcycles in 1962, he said. He hopes to do a road trip next summer with his cousin, Leroy "Tiny" Knight of Medford. "I ride a BMW," said Leroy Knight. "My main thing is dirt bikes. Skip’s strictly Harley-Davidsons. "We’re planning a trip down the California Coast," he said. "Then another one in Eastern Oregon." When it comes to riding styles, however, the cousins part ways. "He’s a cruiser type and I like to go real fast," said Leroy Knight. Eva Loy Knight, Skip’s wife, also shares his passion for motorcycles. She said his view that he’s on the road to recovery makes the diagnosis easier to live with. Though difficult times may be ahead as the radiation therapy takes effect, she said, Knight has "such a positive attitude about all this — that everything’s going to be just fine." "It’s kinda made it easy for me," she said. Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler said the council shares Knight’s optimism. "We all want him to do well and get through this," the mayor said. Knight, whom Wheeler referred to as "Mr. Transportation," brings his own style to the council meetings. "When he has an issue he’s determined to get it out on the table," Wheeler said, adding, "He’s also not afraid to compromise. "He says it as he sees it. If you get your feelings hurt, so be it, and that’s fine." Fellow Councilman Bob Strosser appreciates his colleague’s manner. "Skip is one of those people who I’ve sparred with frequently but he’s actually become a friend," said Strosser. "Skip is uniquely his own man." Two of Knight’s outstanding qualities are "intense loyalty and representation to people of his ward" and deep concern and understanding about transportation issues in the region, said Strosser. "He has our heartfelt concern," said Strosser. Knight credits his positive outlook to his faith and the support of friends and family from around the country. "As much prayer as I got coming my way I should be healed," he said. "I’ve got hundreds of people praying for me. How could I desert them and say ‘poor me’?" Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Facing life, and cancer, head on ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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