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Our View: Anhorn for mayor, Gordon for Ward 1 Thursday Oct 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM In addition to a raft of newcomers seeking open City Council seats, Medford voters will see two incumbents on the November ballot. They should replace one and retain the other. Mayor Gary Wheeler has served admirably for 12 years. He deserves the thanks of Medford residents for his hard work and dedication to the city, but it's time for a fresh approach. Wheeler, an optometrist, has been a steady presence as mayor while the city weathered the recession, built The Commons, restored the Carnegie Library building and renovated Hawthorne Park, among other projects. Most recently, Wheeler presided over a divided City Council in the protracted search for a new city manager, a process that culminated in the only veto of his tenure. Wheeler seems unclear on why he wants another term and waited to decide whether he would run again after an opponent appeared. Challenger John Anhorn, the retired CEO of PremierWest Bank/Bank of Southern Oregon, brings a take-charge attitude and a record of turning around troubled organizations. He was chairman of the board of SAIF Corp., the state's workers compensation insurance provider, when the public corporation was under attack from a private company that wanted in on the lucrative workers comp market. Anhorn says he wants to make Medford the regional economic leader it should be by virtue of its population, and emphasizes streamlining permit processes for new development. He acknowledges that the mayor in a city manager form of government has limited power — the mayor votes only to break ties — but he says he can be an effective leader anyway. We tend to agree. If he can function comfortably under those restrictions, he will bring new energy to a city still looking to live up to its potential. Medford voters should thank Wheeler for his hard work and hand the mayor's chair to Anhorn. In Ward 1, veteran council member Dick Gordon faces a challenge from Curt Ankerberg, a Medford CPA who has run repeatedly for the council and the Medford School Board. Gordon is a capable council member with a steady approach. He supports reducing street utility fees and making the permit process more efficient to encourage development. As the current council president, he will help provide continuity to a council that will see three new members elected in November. Ankerberg is a vocal critic of the council, alleges "corruption" without evidence and promises to increase police patrols, build a swimming pool and a homeless shelter and "revitalize downtown" — all by himself, as one of eight council members. He is frequently rude and confrontational, traits that are incompatible with service on a city council or any other deliberative body. We recommend voters re-elect Dick Gordon.