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62 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 28, 2004 Archer is leaving his parks job Medford parks director says he wants his kids to be closer to their extended family in the Portland area By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune After just 16 months at his new job, the city’s parks director is resigning. Medford Parks and Recreation Director Scott Archer says he has three reasons for leaving: Jordan, Megan and Jacob. He wants his pre-teen children to grow up around their extended family. "We’ve been away from the Portland area for five-plus years," he said. "Once the kids grow up, they’ve grown up." Archer has accepted a job as community services director with Oregon City, just south of Portland. Advertisement "It’s parks and rec plus library services," he said. City Manager Mike Dyal said Archer brought energy and professionalism to his job and that he’s sorry to see him go. "He’s one of our best," said Dyal. Medford resident John Newell said he worries about losing that level of professionalism. Newell said after years of expressing concern over what he thinks has been a problem in his neighborhood, Archer gave the matter some attention and the situation was improving. Newell said neighborhood parks are being used so much by organized sports teams that residents are denied access to their own parks. Newell lives near a neighborhood park next to Orchard Hill Elementary School. "They’re technically not supposed to be doing that," said Newell. Archer said part of the problem is there isn’t enough park space in Medford. "There’s definitely a balancing act that you need to do," he said. There are many demands placed on the city’s 20 neighborhood parks, which range in size from 2 to 8 acres, he said. Medford’s future 132-acre sports park should help out, however. Archer said momentum for parks projects is strong within the parks staff, so his departure shouldn’t hold them up. The largest is the new sports park, planned on Highway 99 across from Bear Creek Corp. "It’s just a little hiccup but not a setback at all," he said. Archer moved to Medford from Ellensburg, Wash., where he was the parks and recreation department director. Archer’s annual salary in Medford is $80,000 plus benefits. His new salary will be $85,000 plus benefits. Archer’s last day is Aug. 20, and the city is looking for his replacement. "We’ve already started the process of recruitment," said Dyal, adding that one of the department staff probably will serve as interim director until a new director is hired. Dyal didn’t think Archer’s departure would hinder the development of the new sports park. "Timing’s OK; it’s not terrible," he said. Archer said the decision is bittersweet. "I have a lot of strong feelings about walking away from a good situation," said Archer. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times