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62 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 12, 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 August 11, 2004 Ashland mayoral season begins as three-horse race Councilman John Morrison, Steve Hauck and Joaquin Saloma filed in June and July to run in the election ASHLAND — With Mayor Alan DeBoer now officially out as an incumbent contender, the mayor’s race will be a three-way contest. John Morrison, a councilman since 2000, filed to run for mayor in June. Steve Hauck and Joaquin Saloma filed in late July. The filing deadline was Friday for four council spots up for grabs in the November election. Morrison said the city’s livability is a growing concern. "There is one that can be put under an umbrella," he said. "That is the quality of life and livability of the community. What I hear is people pointing to concerns they have about the city. "With success comes problems. We have an affordable-housing problem we are now just starting to address, and we also have problems with our schools." Having left the council in 2001, Hauck wants to offer his expertise to the city once again. He is concerned about Ashland’s changing demographics. Advertisement "It’s the leading indictor of the even bigger issue of the narrowing of diversity in Ashland," he said. "When you start to lose this diversity, you lose voices and different perspectives in the community. Diversity is the best thing for the health of a community." Saloma, 24, who was reticent to comment on his filing, said he wants to make sure that residents’ voices are heard in city government. The city council also has some contenders for the November election. Elected in 2000, Cate Hartzell is running for re-election against Mike Morris for Seat 3 on the council. She said she has gained the respect of her constituency during her first term. "I appreciate the trust people have put in me over the past four years," she said. "I feel the decisions that I have made are reflected in the opinions of a large part of the community." Morris, who has been a member of Ashland’s planning commission for several years, has for some time been considering a run for council. He said the recent slowdown of city government is a concern. "What I have found out in the past several months is that council seems to lack the ability to make decisions," he said. "They tend to process things and process things and process things, ... and it makes it look as though they really don’t have a direction or know where they want to go." Don Laws is running for re-election and is opposed by local activist Jack Hardesty. Market of Choice employee Gary Smith filed for Morrison’s open seat and will be opposed by investment manager Russ Silbiger and architect Tom Giordano. 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 SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities