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Helicopter patrols still banned from Talent sky Committee will discuss the future of the service By MEG LANDERS TALENT - This city will remain off-limits to helicopter patrol flights, the City Council decided Wednesday. At a standing-room-only meeting, the council voted unanimously to continue suspending patrol flights by Metro Air One until further notice. A committee of Talent residents and possibly a Metro Air One representative will be formed to discuss the helicopter's future above the city. The helicopter, privately owned and paid for by Herb Sutton, has been used since 1998 to assist ground patrols by the police departments in Talent, Ashland, Phoenix, Central Point, Shady Cove, Eagle Point and Butte Falls, and the Veterans Affairs Domiciliary in White City. Involved in 10 felony and 22 misdemeanor arrests, eight search and rescues, and five reported fires, the helicopter has gone on 138 flights in the Rogue Valley. Nonemergency flights over Talent were suspended July 2 after Talent residents complained about noise, invasion of privacy and use of a spotlight. As suggested by some citizens during Wednesday's public hearing, Councilman Don Steyskal offered to serve on a committee to discuss the helicopter. "I would like to arrive at a compromise," said Steyskal. Businessman Herb Desentz is opposed to helicopter patrols over Talent. "I think the people don't want it as an everyday occurrence," said the owner of the Espresso Shack. He said he was pleased with Wednesday night's council decision. "I think it'll help," he said. "I think it's a step in the right direction." Mayor Marian Telerski agrees. "I think it's very important that we have a committee," she said, adding, "I personally think that Air One is an important tool, and I would like to be responsive to our citizens as well." "Whatever the council decides, that's what I will do," said Talent Police Chief Elmer Kammel, who said he wasn't surprised by a lot of the public opposition. "As I suspected, a lot of the concerns were unfounded; they just don't want a police helicopter," he said. "We're getting complaints about noise and lights and we just weren't there." Talent resident Arnie Gross said he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting. "That's what I really wanted. I wanted to put the committee into (the City Council's conscience." Talent residents interested in joining the committee are encouraged to contact Steyskal or to obtain the proper form at City Hall. Meg Landers is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.