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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Perking up the Ashland Plaza Mail Tribune 100 Since You Asked: Stewart Meadows driving range days are numbered Woman given 60 doses of antivenom for rattlesnake bite Business mural gets a reprieve Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Dad admits to endangering children by failing to secure loaded gun No cause determined in fire that destroyed historic house Semi carrying glass bottles crashes Rogue River Drive fire 50 percent contained Emergency Services Politics and Elections Commissioner Skundrick plans final four town hall meetings Medford eyes electronic sign visual pollution Medford council veterans plan exit Medical marijuana patients run for council seat Former colleagues laud Atiyeh's 'practical' leadership Education A test of mettle: GED tests are more rigorous Middle schoolers get a taste of college living Abraham Lincoln Elementary parents raise money for new playground State treasurer stumps for educational endowment measure Free meals program expands in Grants Pass Environment Stressed but off life support Rogue watershed councils plan to merge West Nile Virus found in mosquitoes collected near Central Point State news Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Clarence "C.A" A. 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Real Estate News Median residential housing prices rise 10.7 percent, but may begin to level out People In Business People in business Transportation Medford airport has second-best June ever Agriculture Hail has local pear growers checking for damage Opinion Latest Other Views: U.O. president's abrupt departure invites speculation Entrepreneur Barbie still misses the mark Letters to the Editor, Aug. 15 Parent-teacher conferences can wait a year Michael Gerson: The paradox of American diversity Editorials Other Views: U.O. president's abrupt departure invites speculation Parent-teacher conferences can wait a year Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Police body cams provide a valuable tool Other Views: Curbing campus assaults Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Aug. 15 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 14 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 13 Letters to the Editor Tuesday, Aug. 12 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 11 Guest Opinions Who I am and why I want to serve on the City Council City council members should be paid Lifestyle Latest stories Band of Doves Second annual King of the Rogue races Saturday What's in your Camelbak? Or how not to get stranded on the trail Fishing Report: Friday, Aug. 15 Denman parking scofflaws get reprieve Food Community blog: Spur quicker consumption with quick pickling Dutch ovens are a versatile way to cook outdoors Matt’s Favorite Pie Crust Peach Pie Southwestern Baked Chicken Home and Garden Lawn talk Tips for keeping backyard birds cool this summer Bath time for the birds: You can help them stay cool and clean Learn to pick produce at the peak of ripeness Support the mycorrhizae! It could help your plants Health Community blog:Can We Define Quality Health Care? Patient numbers double at local clinics Shaking that plumb-tuckered feeling Community blog:Maybe the Movies Will Lead the Way Asante plans to open big outpatient clinic in Grants Pass Hiking Faith Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East - Part three of four Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East part 2 Religion briefs Community Blog: Peace: The inward passage - by Bonnie Greenwell Milestones and Achievements Century Club New Arrivals Wedding: Schulman-Nadolny Stuss-Bones Births Columnist for a Day Tempo Latest stories Annual Xtreme Bike Show and Street Party Third Fridays art walk in Medford Film festival kicks off annual 'Daedalus Project' Review: The joy of 'Godspell' is infectious Delta Halos and The Lures at Club 66 Theater Film festival kicks off annual 'Daedalus Project' Review: The joy of 'Godspell' is infectious Randall Theatre opens 'Godspell' Entertainment 'on the bricks' at OSF 'Shrek' comes to the stage as a musical Music Festival celebrates roots country music Review: Béla Fleck pairs his banjo with Britt orchestra Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra at Pear Blossom Park Duke Street: 'On the Fly' Fleck to perform banjo concerto Community Events Annual Xtreme Bike Show and Street Party 5 Things to Do This Weekend 5 Things to Do This Weekend Dining Kelly's Crepes Basil & Berries India Palace Taco Riendo Uber Herbal Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Who I am and why I want to serve on the City Council Well, now that certain aspects of my life have been made public, I would like to elaborate on my positions and concerns, and offer a little insight as to who I am. So, I will briefly touch up on the issue that seems to be the most important to local media. Then I will move on to the more pressing issues that ail our community, and hopefully the public and the media will do the same. By Clay Bearnson MailTribune.com By Clay Bearnson Posted Aug. 3, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Aug 3, 2014 at 2:53 AM By Clay Bearnson Posted Aug. 3, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Aug 3, 2014 at 2:53 AM » Social News Well, now that certain aspects of my life have been made public, I would like to elaborate on my positions and concerns, and offer a little insight as to who I am. So, I will briefly touch up on the issue that seems to be the most important to local media. Then I will move on to the more pressing issues that ail our community, and hopefully the public and the media will do the same. I would first like to point out that I am the exact same candidate that you read about in the 2012 Jackson County Voters' Pamphlet when I sought your support for Medford City Council, Ward 2. Nothing has changed except that I am a little older, I have acquired more governmental experience by volunteering for two Medford commissions, and I have a better understanding of the various roles of the council, staff, and the myriad commissions they oversee. The fact that I am an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program card-holder has not, does not, and will not dictate the way I run my business, care for my family or govern, should I be fortunate enough to represent the citizens of Ward 2. Period. The only other times I wish to speak of dispensaries are when I am interviewed by the City Council, and citing the tax revenue that could be generated as a potential resource to help revitalize our economy, enhance funding for the non-administrative side of school district 549C, assist addictions recovery programs for people trying to reclaim their lives from the use of hard drugs, and fortify public safety. Those are the issues that plague our community, and those are the issues that I would like to help resolve. The fact is that there is not one single issue that takes precedence over any other. They are all sensitive and require a great deal of research and deliberation before any resolutions can be implemented. I made up my mind over two years ago that I wanted to get involved with local legislation and be a part of the body that steers Medford in a forward-moving direction. The current Medford City Council has taken big strides to maintain that forward momentum, and I commend them for it. I am glad to see some of these downtown projects come to fruition. I am also grateful that the council has put some of their faith in me by appointing me to the two commissions on which I serve. There are projects past, present and future that I have proudly been a part of. Before I close, I would like to open myself up to the citizens of Medford about some of the personal aspects about me that, when put all together, will hopefully give you a sense of my true character. If I'm going to continue being involved in politics, then I might as well embrace the fact that certain aspects of my life will be an open book to the public, which is a sometimes burdensome role that I'm willing to assume. I moved to Medford in 1985 and have lived here, and sometimes around here, since then. I went to school and grew up here. I believe that we live in the best part of the best state in the union. I will always call Medford my home. I am a firm believer in the Constitution and all of its amendments. It truly is a living, breathing document, and its interpretations continue to change with time. I feel that the universe is far too perfect to deny the existence of God. I know that in other parts of the world they call the creator something else, because they were raised in a culture completely different than ours. I understand that not everybody subscribes to organized religion or to whether God exists, and that's OK. We all have free will. I strongly believe that the sooner that we realize that we are all human beings, and will ultimately share the same destiny, the better a place the world will be. In closing, I would like to personally thank you all for taking your time to learn a little more about me. The defining characteristics of a person can easily get lost in the noise of the media. If we, as a community, allow ourselves to get caught up in the media hype, then we hinder our chances of getting anything accomplished. Again, thank you. Clay Bearnson is the owner of the Gypsy Blues Bar, chairman of the Medford Arts Commission, a member of the Medford Parking Commission and a candidate for the Medford City Council from Ward 2. By Clay Bearnson MailTribune.com By Clay Bearnson Posted Aug. 3, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Aug 3, 2014 at 2:53 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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