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Historical societies fight proposed budget trims Bob Pennell photo The Children's Museum in Jacksonville is one of the Jackson County Historical Society programs that could be affected by county cuts. Here, Talent Elementary fourth-graders Niki Tester, left, Sage Shaw and Jeremy Taylor explore a do-it-yourself log cabin as part of Heritage Fair, which ends today. Family Heritage Day is 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Children's Museum. County wants 27 percent cut to offset timber revenue decline By Dani Dodge County budgeters proposing to cut local historical society budgets by 27 percent face opposition from museum operators who say they'll fight so their $1.7 million budget doesn't become history. "They are considering taking it down to $1.2 million -- it would involve laying off a third of the staff, cutting back on open hours and programs we provide the public," said Brad Linder, spokesman for the Jackson County History Museums Association and executive director of the Southern Oregon Historical Society. "It would be damn serious." The county museums association is made up of 14 historical societies including the biggest, the Southern Oregon Historical Society. The preservation of history has been publicly funded in Jackson County since voters passed a continuing levy in 1948. But county budgeters say they need to make up for loss of federal timber revenues by cutting the county budget by as much as $1.8 million this year. County administrator Sue Slack said the pinch will be felt by every department that gets money from the county's strained general fund. She declined, though, to detail proposed cuts in other departments or agencies until the budget committee meets in mid-April. Commissioners said the cuts will come down to spreading scarce resources. "If we maintain the historical budget, we lose more deputies on the street protecting people," reasoned Commissioner Ric Holt. Commissioner Jack Walker -- a member of the Southern Oregon Historical Society -- pointed out that the county isn't expecting anything different from the historical societies than from other departments: efficiency and cost cutting. "We are even letting them decide where the cuts will be the most fair," he said. But to Linder, the proposed cuts are both morally and legally wrong. He estimates that funds from the continuing levy total about $2 million a year. It's money that should be used to make sure the past isn't forgotten, he said. But, in 1997, passage of Measure 50 forced the county to include property tax income from the history levy as part of the overall county budget, Walker said. Since then, the historical groups have gotten only a portion of the levy. With more cuts looming, Linder asked the state attorney general to rule on whether the county can use those funds for something other than historic preservation. He expects an answer next week. "Laying off 10 or 12 staff members would be a rotten thing to do," Linder said. "We think this money is dedicated to history and it ought to stay that way." County Counsel Michael Jewett, though, sees things differently. He said rulings have been clear: The county can roll that historical money into its overall budget. "We're satisfied with what the law says, but certainly willing to consider looking at any other opinions," he said. And while the legal wrangling continues, both small and large museums in the county are waiting to see whether they will simply be a footnote in history. Barbara Hegne, curator of the Eagle Point Historical Museum, said she had hoped to keep the museum open on a daily basis during the summer. It's important to the city's economy because it draws drivers off Highway 62 into town. But a 27 percent cut would be devastating. The museum would have to give up paid staff and cut hours. "Personally I'm afraid Eagle Point will dry up and blow away," Hegne said. "It's important to keep the history alive and the museum open." For the Southern Oregon Historical Society, Linder said, a 27 percent cut could mean layoffs and reduced museum hours, eliminating the History Day competition, dramatically reducing the number of magazines and closing the newly opened Ashland branch and the Beekman House. But there's no reason that the historical societies should take the brunt of the budget cuts, he said. He noted that while other county departments are being asked to tighten their belts, they aren't being strangled -- none are looking at cuts approaching 27 percent. "We feel strongly we fulfill the county's missions and goals," Linder said. "This money was set aside for historical societies and it shouldn't be used to pay utility bills." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA