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6 seek 3 seats on Jacksonville City Council By Tony Boom Oct 18, 2022 12:45 AM A A 7 View all photos Mail Tribune/file photo Potential expansion of the town’s land area and fire and police protection were among the top concerns candidates for Jacksonville City Council voiced when interviewed by the Mail Tribune. Including two incumbents, six candidates are seeking three at-large, four-year seats in the Nov. 8 balloting. Several candidates noted they are working. In recent years the council has been composed largely of retired individuals. Councilor Ken Gregg is seeking reelection for a second time. He won seats in 2014 and 2018. He has lived in Jacksonville for nine years and is a professional photographer. “We are already doing the two prominent issues: fire prevention and studying whether or not we should expand the urban growth boundary,” said Gregg. Work done by a subcommittee of the council on fire safety needs to continue with an emphasis on looking for grants and reducing fire-prone vegetation. “It takes a lot of study and approval from the state to expand,” said Gregg. “We have an available lands survey that was done some years ago. We are just studying whether or not we can do and need to do (expansion) and which type of application; there are two types.” Gregg says his eight years of experience on the council give him a leg up on other candidates on how to get issues through the council. He says they city already has a variety of ways of communicating with people, including the website, bulletin boards and a newsletter. Shifting one City Council meeting per month to the noon hour was a good move to include the public, he said. Andy Hellenthal was appointed to the council in September to the seat held by Jim Lewis, who died in August. He had served on the city Historical and Architectural Review Committee for two years, one as chair, and has lived in Jacksonville for four years. He works as an environmental consultant with a national engineering firm. “I’m focused on maintaining the historical nature and charm of the town,” said Hellenthal. But the city also needs to look carefully at growth, an issue the council has begun to study by looking at potential urban growth boundary expansion. “It’s good they have gotten a start on it. It’s a very important issue,” said Hellenthal. The council needs to look at available space for growth and also affordability issues for the town, he said. Hellenthal says he brings a background as a former city planner and in emergency management and disaster planning to the council. He thinks that perhaps the council should have meet-and-greet sessions with various groups around town as a way to keep the public informed about the decision process. Ryan Hess has lived in Jacksonville for two years and has served on the city’s Budget Committee for one year. He is an administrator with Cascade Living Group senior care and was a city councilor and mayor in Rogue River. “The urban growth boundary is a big one right now,” said Hess. He said there’s a lot of work that needs to be done by the council and other city committees and commissions in determine if and where the city should expand. The city is doing a really nice job of handling its budget, and Hess wants to see that continue. “There’s not a lot that needs to be solved here. Let’s not mess up a good thing,” said Hess. “I see a lot of positive things … being on the Budget Committee.” More staffing for the police department would be a desirable goal, but getting that is complex, he said. “Working in the service industry, you have to wear a lot of hats. You have to be very flexible,” said Hess. “I’ve learned how to deal with different individuals and groups of people at different levels. That type of flexibility is going to help me.” Megan Kimball has lived in Jacksonville for six years and works for Jackson County Mental Health. If elected, she said, she would represent young professionals who live in town. Dealing with the threat of fire, consideration of adding land to the urban grown boundary and work to clarify and improve development codes are top projects for the town, said Kimball. “There’s a lot to dig into, especially from the small things to the big things about our community holistically. How do we maintain our green environment in terms of upkeep?” said Kimball. “A huge draw for Jacksonville is we are so close to nature.” Kimball says she would add a different perspective to the council. While some call for prior experience on city committees and commissions before council service, Kimball says she could approach issues with a fresh look. “I’m leaning on my experience in social service and mental health. The more diversity you have, it’s better,” said Kimball. She’d count on committees and commissions to do research and bring information to councilors to help them make informed decisions. Town halls and open meetings are a good way to involve the public, she said. “The top issue for me is fire safety. There is not a more important issue than to understand the possible threat fire poses to the community,” said Jerry Pendzick. “We have an opportunity to develop a fire safety plan that works for everyone. That’s one of my goals.” Pendzick was a Marine helicopter pilot then had a 26-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration in aircraft safety. He’s retied but volunteers for several organizations. He’s lived in Jacksonville for six years. Pendzick also wants to see that the town’s budget is well managed. He said that’s the case currently, but vigilance is always needed. “I don’t want to see Jacksonville remotely look like Ashland. They don’t have budget discipline in Ashland.” Experience as a program manager with the FAA would be an asset if he was elected, said Pendzick. He said that taught him the importance of including all stakeholders when developing programs and making decisions. “We have a retirement community here. The city does a fair job of outreach,” said Pendzick. “Maybe there should be a little more effort to get people to come to council meetings and stand up and express their views.” Talon Reed wants to see a 24/7 police presence return to Jacksonville. A break-in at the law office where he works triggered an alarm, but the response took more than 35 minutes. That’s because the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department responds when there isn’t a patrol officer on duty in town. “I think we can still do it without raising taxes. It’s really expensive to live in Jacksonville,” said Reed. He says local police are doing a good job, but they need to be funded for full-time coverage. Residents he has talked with favor greater police presence. A 40% reduction in the amount of money going to the Chamber of Commerce, which was approved by City Council, was not a good idea, says Reed. “I like the path (the chamber) has been taking the town. It affects people that have small businesses in Jacksonville,” said Reed, a lawyer who grew up in the Rogue Valley and has lived in Jacksonville for six years. “I want families to be able to come to our town and be safe and spend money on entertainment for kids,” said Reed. He’d like to see the city attract all age groups Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at [email protected]. Andy Hellenthal Kenneth Gregg Megan Kimball Ryan Hess Talon Reed