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Click Here 41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, March 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 27, 2004 Esquivel has history of civic service By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Councilman Skip Knight said county commissioners made the right choice in selecting Sal Esquivel as state senator. "I think he’s good at consensus-building," said Knight, Esquivel’s fellow Ward 2 city councilman. Jackson County commissioners chose Esquivel as interim state senator Wednesday to replace Lenn Hannon, who resigned from the Senate in December and took a job with the state parole board on Jan. 2. Esquivel said he plans to run in the general election in November to try and keep the senate seat. State Rep. Alan Bates, an Ashland Democrat, is expected to oppose him. Salvador Castro Esquivel Jr., 55, grew up in Medford, attending St. Mary’s School, Wilson Elementary School, McLoughlin School and was a 1966 graduate of Medford High School. Advertisement He has served on the council since 1997, and was elected council president in January. He’s worked on the city’s first vision plan, is past president of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. (SOREDI) and helped form the Communications Advisory Committee, among other things. He was a real estate broker/owner of Diamond Key Properties, until he recently shut down the business and moved over to Van Horn Real Estate in Medford to make room for a future in state politics. His great grandfather, on his mother’s side, Graper Walsh, settled in Medford in 1884, he said. His grandmother and mother grew up in the area. His father, Salvador Castro Esquivel Sr., moved to the area from Mexico City, and became an American citizen. "My father, unfortunately for me, wouldn’t allow us to speak Spanish in the house," he said. "He was very adamant about it." He said he isn’t sure if he’s the first Latino to serve as state senator. "I think I may be the first Latino Republican senator," he said. Medford City Manager Mike Dyal said one of Esquivel’s recent accomplishments has been coordinating schoolyard improvements in Medford. "He has worked with a number of other people in the community to install playground equipment at elementary schools," said Dyal. He said he appreciates Esquivel’s flexibility. "He’s very decisive in his decision making, but I’ve seen him change his position when he got additional understanding from new information," Dyal said. Esquivel is likely to announce his resignation from the council at a meeting next week, and replacements are already lining up. At least two people have shown interest in the position. "I’m going to run," said Jim Kuntz, senior housing inspector with the housing authority of Jackson County. "I’d like to see the continuous improvement of west Medford," said Kuntz, adding that he’d like to make west Medford more livable by paving unimproved roads and helping remove blight. City Recorder Beverly Sandblast said another man was in her office inquiring about what he had to do to apply, but she did not know his name. Sandblast said after Esquivel resigns and the council accepts his resignation, the position will be advertised for a couple weeks. The council will appoint five residents from Ward 2 to interview candidates and make a recommendation. The council will then conduct interviews and make a selection. But she said it’s too soon to plan replacing Esquivel. "We can’t start the process here until he actually resigns at the meeting and council accepts it," said Sandblast. Reach reporter Meg Landersat 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times