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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 13, 2007 Click image for larger view White City�s transition from rural area to suburban neighborhoods has some residents considering incorporation. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) A new direction for White City? A push to make the unincorporated Jackson County community into a city is gaining traction, but some residents remain wary By Damian Mann Mail Tribune White City has been a city in name only since World War II, but some local residents say it might be time to change that. "I feel we could govern ourselves locally," said Joy Reich, a community activist who is spearheading an effort to incorporate White City, possibly putting the issue before voters by November 2008. A lot of newcomers aren't even aware that the 7,500-resident community isn't incorporated, but is part of Jackson County, she said. Still others ask her, "When are we going to become a city?" she said. Reich said a committee has been formed to test the idea, particularly because an urban renewal district that began in 1991 will expire in 2010. Advertisement The renewal district has paid for, among other things, the Rogue Family Center, street lighting, sidewalks, landscaping, new facades on industrial buildings, street widening projects and pollution controls on industry. Without the district, Reich fears that all the improvements won't be maintained or funded properly because of county budget problems. A potential stumbling block to incorporation has been the reluctance by local industry worried about additional regulations. A bill passed by the Legislature in 2005 places a 10-year moratorium on any efforts by cities to include industries within their boundaries. Reich said that with so many new subdivisions in White City, there might be enough of a tax base to survive without the industry. However, she said, it might be possible to work something out with the local industries to make incorporation more palatable. Reich said she wants to apply for a grant to prepare a study that would outline a vision for White City. She said more work will have to be done to show what the economic impacts might be on residents. Chris Higgison, associate pastor with the White City Assembly of God, said incorporation supporters will have to do their homework to answer all the questions they'll get from local residents. "A lot of them are used to being independent," he said. Higgison, a member of the committee looking into incorporation, said he doesn't want to foist the idea of cityhood on residents if they don't like it. "We don't want to push the people into something," he said. Once the urban renewal district ends, Higgison worries that White City won't be able to plan properly for the future, leading to traffic woes, crime and other problems. He said the new street lights that have been installed in many neighborhoods should reduce crime and drug activity but will still need to be maintained. Higgison is hopeful that local residents won't end up paying more taxes as a city than they do now. Several residents contacted Monday were skeptical about the idea of incorporation. "It'll mean a lot more government," said Mike Durnford. "It'll mean a lot more taxes." The 47-year-old White City resident, who has lived there since 1977, said that in his opinion the town runs pretty well. "A lot of people think White City is pretty trashy, but it's not as bad as people think," said Durnford. If there was an election today on the issue, Durnford said, "I'd vote no. They'd have to have convincing evidence for me to vote otherwise." Jeannette Coursey, 70, said she is noncommittal about the idea, but feared, "It's going to raise taxes." Her husband, 71-year-old Lee Coursey, said he could see advantages and disadvantages to incorporating, but also wondered, "How much money is it going to cost me?" Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. 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