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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 29, 2005 MURA director steps down After two years as the Medford Urban Renewal Agency director, Kurt Olsen resigned Thursday. "I had an opportunity to go back to my old job and I’m going to take it," said Olsen, 53. Olsen will return to the post he left to take the position to head up MURA: director of Lincoln City’s Urban Renewal Agency. According to Olsen, the position in Lincoln City has not been filled since he left it two years ago. In October 2003, Olsen took the lead at MURA, a position formerly held by Don Burt, who retired. Olsen said he is taking a pay cut, from $84,500 to $65,304 per year. Mike Dyal, city manager, said he appreciated Olsen’s approach. Advertisement "He was pleasant and easy to talk to," he said. "You always felt like he was listening to you." He said Olsen stepped forward in efforts to coordinate streetscaping with landscaping around City Hall, in contracting the design for the Bear Creek Master Plan and in laying the groundwork for discussion of Middleford Commons, a major proposal to overhaul the area in Medford’s northeast downtown core. "He really paved the way for property acquisition for Lithia Towers, if the project goes forward," said Dyal. Olsen has also been known to hand out his business card with Tootsie Roll Pops attached. His reputation for dispensing the candies had reached Chicago, Ill. When Tootsie Roll Industries Inc. learned about the sweet pastime of Medford’s urban renewal director, they sent him 1,000 of their lollipops. Olsen said his last day is Dec. 5. "I’ve really enjoyed my time there and meeting the people there," said Olsen. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s