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Lines drawn over districts Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Dillon Whinery, 7, curls up for a nap in the lap of his grandmother, Judith Spargo, of Grants Pass, during a Friday public hearing in Medford on the state's political redistricting plan. Dillon's grandfather, Lee Spargo, spoke at the hearing. The crowd was mixed, with some supporting the secretary of state's plan and others saying it guts political clout in Southern Oregon. State-proposed representation changes ignite residents' ire By DANI DODGE Nearly 100 Jackson and Josephine county residents showed up Friday to tell Secretary of State Bill Bradbury what they think of his redistricting plan - they hated it. The vast majority complained that his draft plan reduces the political power of Southern Oregon and creates districts that violate geographic and common-interest boundaries. "We need you to leave the boundaries where they are," said Josephine County Commissioner Harold Haugen. "I see no value and very little representation (in the draft plan) - it would be a real detriment to citizens of these communities." Bradbury assured people that he remains open to suggestions. "The plan needs to be changed," Bradbury said. "I will change it. You citizens of Oregon are now the experts on what redistricting should look like and I'm here to listen to you." The public hearing at noon Friday in the old County Courthouse was Bradbury's 20th across the state. His last hearing was Friday night in Klamath Falls. Redistricting is required every 10 years following a census to reflect changes in population. The job to redistrict the state's legislative boundaries fell to Bradbury when the state Legislature failed to agree on a plan. Bradbury released a draft plan two weeks ago that keeps Medford basically in one representative district and creates three districts extending out from Medford. One of the most dramatically different districts is one that combines Ashland, Talent, Phoenix and Jacksonville into a single district. Another goes northwest from the Medford airport, through Central Point, ending just shy of Canyonville. The third - and most controversial - borders the east side of Medford, then stretches out to the Bend and Lakeview. The plan leaves only one state Senate district centered in Jackson County where once there were two. Since the plan came out, a number of people have opposed the plan including the Medford City Council who passed a resolution Thursday. "I implore and ask you respectfully, put the representation back in Southern Oregon where it is deserved," said Medford City Councilman Sal Esquivel, one of 33 people who spoke. The only people happy with the draft were residents of Ashland and Jacksonville who applauded Bradbury's plan to unify them into one district. "As an Ashland resident, I'm really quite pleased," said Treva Tumbelson. "The two real tourist centers will be united." Bradbury said that in each of his hearings, there have been a few areas of serious concerns that rose to prominence. One of those on Friday was raised by Illinois Valley residents who resented being shoved into a coastal district. They noted that to get to their representative, they'd have to drive into California first. Some of the other complaints included Applegate Valley residents who were split into three districts under the plan and preferred to be united. Another was the district that stretches out from Eagle Point to Lakeview, which Bryan Platt of Eagle Point called a "monstrosity." "This new Frankenstein-like district is no respector of mountain boundaries ... and any community of interest," Platt said. "With all due respect, this proposal makes no sense." The only consensus seemed to be that Rogue Valley residents didn't want to lose representation. "We agree with the overwhelming testimony in opposition with the plan," said Holly Swanson of White City. "It seems to increase the political influence of Multnomah County and decrease the influence of Southern Oregon. "We urge you to consider leaving the map as it is because we see no benefit to change it." Bradbury will prepare a new plan by Aug. 15. "I'm quite confident there will be a lot of changes," he said. "And a lot of the credit goes to the people of the state of Oregon." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.