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3 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 Emergency services, April 18 Medford police seek new rules to stop sales of stolen goods Struggling to stay on track Central Point considers new fees for parks, school police People in Business Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 18 Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm Emergency services Argument over stolen guns led to first shooting, Monica says Monica takes rare opportunity to cross-examine a witness in her double-murder trial Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money New Medford middle school would offer Montessori approach Mae Richardson Elementary turns 50 Prepping before 9th grade Environment Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek State News Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address Ex-Daimler Portland engineer files $2 million discrimination suit Mannix-backed measure targets taxes Oregon committee hears bill preventing child access to guns Water shortage hits riverfront city Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Gloria Ruth Pelett Allsup Tobi Andrews (Sherri M. 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Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Memories of Oklahoma City bombing still fresh 20 years later George Will: Sustainability gone wild Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Lifestyle Latest stories Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained 6 trout to know App Finder: Best Earth Day apps Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Fishing Report: Friday, April 17 Food Tammy Kelly: Soft-shell crab is in season Community blog: Orange-blossom water enhances honey syrup High on flavor, low on calories: Cookbook offers tasty options for people trying to eat healthier Prudence Hilburn: Test-kitchen products become ‘secret’ specialties Community blog: Leave fruits whole for crumbles in a time crunch Home and Garden Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth 12 ways ceiling fans keep you comfortable and save cash Dear Monty: Profiting with adaptive re-use Paul Rogers: Schedule your time wisely Home Help: 3 upgrades to help give your bathroom spa-like panache Health Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Go get physical Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Theater Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Music Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm ... Monica claims she never acted on murderous thoughts ... Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address ... Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm ... Monica claims she never acted on murderous thoughts ... Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address ... GOLD HILL Gold Hill may get a full-time police officer Council and Budget Committee still must approve spending $160,000 By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 11, 2015 @ 11:01 pm By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 11, 2015 @ 11:01 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> GOLD HILL — The city may finally get a full-time police officer on duty by early summer. After spending much of the last year discussing the city's law enforcement needs and financial constraints, the City Council last week voted to add a full-time law enforcement position to the 2015-16 budget. Having considered everything from a special service district to a law enforcement levy, the council authorized nearly $160,000 for the line item. City Manager Rick Hohnbaum said the position, if finalized, would authorize a contract with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department for a term of "no less than three years." Without law enforcement since 2006 — the city's own police force disbanded twice since 2000 — the city has grappled with ways to provide for public safety on a limited budget while facing liability concerns raised by its insurance company. Without a regular police presence, save for a part-time community service officer, online community watch groups have formed, and councilors have discussed low-cost ideas such as surveillance cameras downtown. Six-year resident Lisa Tognoli scoffed at the notion of putting cameras downtown — though she favors a recent decision to put them inside City Hall. Tognoli, who has attended recent council meetings to weigh in on the city's lack of police, said the city was in dire need of law enforcement. Tognoli, who operates a foster home, said she worries about the safety of children in the community and about property values. "From my perspective, it is absolutely important that we get a police response when necessary. When I first moved here five or six years ago, one of the things I really liked was you saw kids outside on the streets playing, walking around and able to go outside," Tognoli said. "Nobody will let their kids do that now with all the squatters and meth heads who have come to Gold Hill. We don't have law enforcement, so all the real shady people decide to move here. As a homeowner, besides the safety issues, I've got property values at stake." Budget Committee member Deb West, a longtime advocate for increased police presence in the town, said she hoped to see the proposed position survive the looming budget discussion. West voiced concern that a public safety levy was discussed before existing funds were carefully allocated. West said she wasn't opposed to increasing protection eventually but wanted to see the city be a good steward of existing revenues. "Ever since police were eliminated the last time, in 2005 or 2006, property values and public safety have gone downhill, and all the drug addicts and people running from the law have decided to make Gold Hill their home," said West. "This will make the town safer and help our property values. And hopefully it's going to make it real darned uncomfortable for those who want to hide out from the law." Mayor Jan Fish did not return phone calls seeking comment on the city's law enforcement needs. Councilor Margaret Dials said the Budget Committee, which includes the entirety of the council and a number of citizens, will ultimately decide whether to adopt the position. "The council voted to have the city manager include options for adding a law enforcement position in our new budget," Dials said. "The community has been very much in favor of having more protection, and I believe we responded appropriately. Now it will be up to the Budget Committee to decide if we can afford it. Everything is a compromise in a small city like ours." While crime statistics for the city don't show an obvious spike in certain types of activity, Jackson County sheriff's Capt. Nathan Sickler said communities without a designated law enforcement presence are less likely to report smaller issues than other communities. While cities without a police department are provided the same service as other county residents, Sickler said the concentration of residents can make the need for law enforcement more apparent. "You've got to realize we have a county of 2,801 square miles with anywhere from three to eight deputies pushing a patrol car at any one time. When you divide that up, it doesn't leave a lot of coverage when we're running at decreased staffing levels," Sickler said. "With 75,000 citizens in the county not served by municipalities or police departments, if we had seven guys on duty, that's one guy for every 10,000 residents. I think, personally, it's not a big stretch to say that Gold Hill would benefit from having or aiming for their own department or paying for contractors. Instead of the county being divided with 2,800 square miles for seven deputies, why not one deputy for one square mile?" Meetings for the 2015-16 budget cycle begin at 6 p.m. Monday at Gold Hill City Hall, 420 Sixth Ave. Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected]   By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 11, 2015 @ 11:01 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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