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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 Since We Asked 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 August 31, 2006 Three Gold Hill council members go for mayor's job By sanne specht Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — Two City Council members will run for re-election, while three more candidates will vie for the vacant mayor's seat. But that still leaves two council seats which must be filled by appointment or with candidates elected through write-in campaigns. The four-year terms of council members Donna Silva, Gus Wolf, Mike Hicks and Tom Daily will expire in December. Hicks and Daily will not run for re-election. Council members Jan Fish and Kathleen Price's terms expire in 2008. Allan D. Jennings Jr., Daniel Morris and Michael S. Stanley have entered into a three-way race for the mayor's seat. Silva and Wolf, who have served at least two terms on the council, are running unopposed. "I've served four terms over 25 years," said Wolf. "I was mayor, too." Advertisement Wolf, Silva and Fish survived a recall effort earlier this year after five months of defending themselves against accusations of misconduct and failure to support the police department. Wolf and Silva say they were bolstered by the residents' support. Silva, 46, has served on the council for eight years. She said the city needs help resolving ongoing issues regarding the management of the police department and tensions between council members. "We need dispute mediation in place so the council can do its work for the city," she said. Former mayor Sherry Young, who along with Price signed all three recall petitions, abruptly quit her position in July after she moved to Grants Pass. Also in July, Price proposed a charter amendment in favor of term limits, which could have eliminated Silva and Wolf from the ballot. Price ultimately withdrew her proposal after the rest of the council declined to support it. "I'm sure glad we didn't go for that," said Silva. "We can't even find people to run. Why would we want to eliminate people who are willing to serve and have experience?" Silva says she is skeptical of write-in campaigns — and candidates. "I think it's for people who didn't want to be bothered with the paperwork," said Silva. "I'm glad I filed my papers and got my signatures." Wolf, 55, said hiring a city manager could provide a unifying voice within the city, and might help resolve power struggles between council members. "My emphasis is on trying to restructure our city's form of government. A city manager would make us more effective," said Wolf. Stanley, 52, is a construction inspector for the city of Medford. He was a Gold Hill councilman, council president and mayor from 1987 to 1997. "I imagine stepping back in, it will be like I never left," said Stanley. Stanley says he's not worried about current political tensions. Issues between the council and the police department have been historically contentious. "It's always been pretty tense over there (at City Hall)," said Stanley. "Police want to do their thing and the council wants accountability. There's always been a conflict. The people want a police department, and that's fine. But along with that comes accountability. I don't think that's wrong." Stanley says Gold Hill's new water treatment plant is doing a good job of making clean water. But the town has inadequate facilities for storage, he says. "We've actually only got one reservoir in town," said Stanley. "We have the capacity to make (clean water), but we don't have the capacity to store it." Jennings, 52, is a utility operator for the Gold Hill Public Works Department. Jennings has lived in the city for 42 years and said he knows how to "run a meeting and maintain a meeting." Jennings disputes suggestions from the town's city attorney that there may be a conflict of interest in his becoming the mayor and working for the city should he be elected. "The city attorney said I couldn't accept a paycheck as public works employee. But I wouldn't accept a paycheck as mayor," said Jennings, adding he would recuse himself from any vote that might create a conflict. "I can bow out of any personal issues," said Jennings. "Conflict? I don't know about that. Someone has to prove that to me." Morris did not return calls from the Tribune seeking comment on Monday or Tuesday. Morris wrote in his candidacy papers he is a small business owner and a graduate of Chapman College in Orange, Calif. He served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 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 California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews