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M/SUNNY Temp: 53 °F Wind: NW at 12 mph Saturday, April 26, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 2, 2003 Gilmour’s fellow commissioners say part-time work is too little By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune After 100 days in office, the jury’s out on whether Dave Gilmour can make it work as a part-time commissioner. "It is a problem to have anybody working part time when the job is full time," said Commissioner Sue Kupillas. "He knows that we consider it a problem." Kupillas said Gilmour has been missing important land-use hearings, and the problem will become more acute as the county begins meetings on its budget and land development policies. Gilmour, who has taken a cut in pay and turned down his benefits package, has been trying to juggle his obligations as a commissioner while continuing his work as a doctor in Central Point. "It’s not fair to the other county commissioners," said Commissioner Jack Walker, who says he puts in 50 hours a week on the job. Walker said it’s also not fair to the public, because Gilmour’s spotty attendance at afternoon land-use hearings could mean someone’s request would be denied if two commissioners disagree. "It’s the public that loses," he said. "If the vote is split, the application would be denied." Kupillas said she believes Gilmour can sort through these attendance problems, but added, "People deserve the three of us to hear those things." Gilmour praised Walker and Kupillas for picking up some of the slack for him. He said he has attended most of the meetings required of a commissioner and has cleared his plate for some of the all-day budget meetings coming up. He said it has been challenging trying to maintain his practice while fulfilling his county duties. Gilmour, who estimates he puts in about 35 hours a week for the county, said he has missed some ceremonial activities, such as ground breakings. "That’s the part that I haven’t done a good job on," he said. The commissioner who had criticized his predecessor, Ric Holt, for missing meetings said he doesn’t want his colleagues to take on too many of his duties. "In the past, they were taking on so many of Ric’s responsibilities," he said. Gilmour said Walker and Kupillas’ help won’t mean he will be beholden to them when it comes time to vote on issues, however. "I don’t think I would change any decision because they have been filling in for me," he said. While he juggles his schedule, Gilmour, as promised during the campaign, has cut his pay from $62,000 to $40,000 and canceled his Public Employees Retirement System benefits and insurance. "That’s enough to save about $50,000 a year," he said. "That’s enough to save a position for a year." Gilmour had hoped to cut his salary back to $30,000, but said he will have to wait a year because debts from his political campaign needed to be paid back. "That does skewer things this year," he added. Gilmour said his combined income as part-time doctor and part-time commissioner doesn’t equal what he earned last year as a full-time doctor. Asked if he considers the time he puts in equivalent to a full-time position, Gilmour responded, "It is a full-time job if it’s 35 to 40 hours, yes, but if it’s 60 to 70 a week, no." Gilmour said the job so far has turned out to be what he expected, anticipating his difficulties trying to juggle his practice and county duties. "Overall things are going in the right direction," he said. To date, he hasn’t had strenuous disputes with his fellow commissioners, although he has disagreed with them on issues such as their disapproval of the creation of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. "I’m not all that concerned about decisions made in the past," he said. Gilmour looks forward to discussions about budget and land-use issues and plans to make the time to analyze and discuss them fully. "It’s a balancing act," he said, referring to his two jobs. "I’ll be jumping back and forth." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S