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0 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 Get Up & Go: Dec. 5 App Finder: Best vintage shopping apps Downtown property owners would fund economic development district in Medford Medford police investigating 'bizarre' shots-fired incident Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Medford police investigating 'bizarre' shots-fired incident One of two runaway Ashland teens may be with California man Emergency services Nurse sentenced after running over boyfriend Politics and Elections GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Pot, GMOs unite south Jackson County Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Education Medford school administrators get pay boost Students put their hearts into AIDS event Kitzhaber calls for early education spending in budget proposal Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten Building audits will help district save energy, and money Environment Advisory warns of blue-green algae bloom at Lost Creek Lake County calls for local control of federal lands Most dredging banned under new proposed guidelines Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill State News Bend hospital: Medication error killed patient Lawsuit: Pregnant woman fired for restroom breaks Ante for rulemaking on Oregon pot: nearly $600,000 Oregon Master Gardeners mum on legal pot Study: Killing wolves means more livestock attacks Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Edwina Agnes Jenkins Marie B. (Aiken) Cory Davis Stella Demo Geraldine Frances Ritchie Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories South Medford girls tumble in tournament Aldridge, Lillard lead Blazers past Pacers, 88-82 No. 17 Beavers remain unbeaten, top Idaho Ducks win opener over Santa Clara Murray, Romo lead Cowboys over Bears, 41-28 Varsity 541 College Sports No. 17 Beavers remain unbeaten, top Idaho Ducks win opener over Santa Clara Riley to Huskers raises several questions Riley Bolts Raiders ready for tough semi against Cougs Pro Sports Aldridge, Lillard lead Blazers past Pacers, 88-82 Murray, Romo lead Cowboys over Bears, 41-28 Woods stumbles to a 77 in his return 76ers avoid worst start in history Cowboys look to bounce back against Bears Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Downtown property owners would fund economic development district in Medford MBA candidates lend their talents to clients for free Blog: Costco closed Thanksgiving, but Nov. sales grew More sales, but no change in residential housing median price People in Business, Dec. 3 Real Estate News More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Agriculture Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Our View: Oregon budget should plan for rain Letters to the Editor, Dec. 5 Granlund cartoon: Justice and Eric Garner Kent Bush: Do you want fries with that sermon? Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4 Editorials Our View: Oregon budget should plan for rain Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Stay flexible on kindergarten hours Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up Our View: What's in a name? Not that much, really Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 5 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 3 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 1 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Guest Opinion: 'Natural' not necessarily better for forest management Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Lifestyle Latest stories Fishing report: Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 Looking Up: The Man in the Moon looks your way Get Out: Friday, December 5 Stylish on the Snow Duck stamp increase closer to reality Food Community blog: Merry Christmas 10 Barrel! (Big Brewery vs Small Independent Brewer) Community blog: Lentil cooking water doubles as soup stock 'Amazing' Soup Roxy Ann winemaker has roots in Napa Valley Community blog: Post-holiday soups easy on the budget, waistline Home and Garden Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Dear Monty: Ten helpful home-listing tips Home Help: Luxurious upgrades don’t have to break the bank 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Community blog: Guiltless Holidays Better for our Health HealthStyle: Develop an attitude of gratitude Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements Hire 'em and pray for snow Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall SOU presents all-percussion concert Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Theater Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall Camelot presents 'Fiddler on the Roof' OCT's holiday show is a wonderful play New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Music SOU presents all-percussion concert Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love Community Events Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Dining Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: Oregon budget should plan for rain ... Downtown property owners would fund economic development district in Medford ... Medford police investigating 'bizarre' shots-fired incident ... Our View: Oregon budget should plan for rain ... Downtown property owners would fund economic development district in Medford ... Medford police investigating 'bizarre' shots-fired incident ... ELECTION 2014 Phoenix council races draw a crowd — and debate By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 24, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 24, 2014 @ 2:00 am The candidates --> Name: Terry Helfrich Age: 65 Education: Corporate training for management skills. Experience: Six years on council; budget committee; urban renewal board; plan... » Read more X The candidates Name: Terry Helfrich Age: 65 Education: C orporate training for management skills. Experience: Six years on council; budget committee; urban renewal board; planning commission 16 years; appointed by county commissioners to regional problem solving process. Name: Jeff Bellah Age: 61 Education: Bachelor of science from University of Oregon; executive training with federal employment Experience: current mayor of Phoenix; Phoenix Budget Committee; city liaison for Rogue Valley Council of governments, regional water coalition with surrounding cities and city representative for ACCESS. Name: Karen Jones Age: 63 Education: bachelor of arts and secondary teaching credential, CSU (Sacramento);  three years of building trades classes at College of the Sequoias. Experience: Phoenix City Council, Phoenix Budget Committee, Phoenix Urban Renewal Agency board; Phoenix Food Project founder and district coordinator, steering committee member for Phoenix Food Pantry; Phoenix-Talent Ford Leadership Program; First Phoenix Community Center board member. Name: Chris Luz Age: 54 Education: Master of science, University of Connecticut Experience: Two years on council; Phoenix Urban Renewal; Phoenix Water Commission; Phoenix Budget Committee; Parks commissioner; president of the Phoenix Festival; Phoenix Water Rate Committee. Name: Steve Schulman Age: 75 Education: BA California State (Northridge); master of science from Western Kentucky University; Ph.D. coursework. Experience: City Council (2004-2005); Phoenix Urban Renewal Board (2010-2012); Phoenix Budget Committee during council tenure; editor, Phoenix Council Watch. Name: Melissa Wagy Age: 42 Education: beauty school in Salem; business classes Experience: 30-plus events, commissions, committees in the city of Talent; Boys & Girls Club; Talent Chamber member and past president.  Name: Judy Grillo Age: 66 Education: BA in marketing/advertising from Citrus College (California); continuing education student at Rogue Community College. Experience: symphony manager for San Bernardino Symphony; overseas theater management; Phoenix Planning Commission; past Cultural Arts Board member for Fort Collins, Colo. » Social News PHOENIX — Economic development related to a soon-to-be-built $72 million interchange, improvements to the downtown and council involvement in urban renewal are hot topics for council incumbents and challengers in the coming election. Six council candidates will vie for three seats while current council member Terry Helfrich will square off against incumbent Mayor Jeff Bellah. An orchardist and long time council member, Helfrich said he's eager to see progress happen in the downtown with urban renewal — sans council involvement — and with new businesses coming to town. "The number one main issue of this city is that we need to start building improvements that the citizens see," Helfrich said. Helfrich, 65, supports separation of City Council and urban renewal despite the current format in which the two agencies are connected. If reelected, Bellah said, his focus would be to bring all city roads up to par over the next five years with plans for some $750,000 in basic maintenance and chip sealing over the next fiscal year. He disagreed with Helfrich on the council-urban renewal division. Additional priorities for Bellah include carefully planning of the new interchange area and city center and continued efforts for a balanced budget and to establish traditions that will build an identity for the city. As for a half-dozen council candidates, three incumbents — Karen Jones, Chris Luz and Bruce Sophie — are seeking reelection with an interest in maintaining current momentum and managing future growth — while newcomers Melissa Wagy, Judy Grillo and former council member Steve Schulman say they will push for more notable progress and better relations between City Hall and residents. Jones and Luz — Sophie did not return calls — said the current council was working hard and should stay in office to continue momentum. Jones, who initiated the Phoenix Food Project and volunteers for the community food bank, said, "We're all for economic development for the city but those things all move slowly and it's hard with so many naysayers dragging us down."  "Development is one thing but I think what's important is encouraging citizen involvement — volunteering in our community. If a project can be completed by 10 people, my focus is to find those 10 people!" Luz agreed that he hoped the current council members would be retained so the city would "not lose the momentum we've already established."  He also said he would work on "re-beautification" of the downtown and maintaining balanced budgets. Schulman, co-editor of a Phoenix Council Watch Facebook page, said he decided to try for a return to City Hall because of citizen frustrations with the current council. If elected, Schulman said he would work for water rate fairness, division of urban renewal and the city and push for a change of culture. "We have a group of people whose list of accomplishments include things that the council just does because they're the city council and it's their job," he said. The other two challengers, planning commissioner Judith Grillo and salon owner and community activist Melissa Wagy, both hope to bring a change of culture, too, they said, in addition to needed improvements to the city. Wagy, whose lists of community boards and events on which she's worked number more than three dozen, listed her goals, if elected, as economic development, separation of urban renewal and city council and water rate fairness. "One of my first priorities would be to see the city complete a community census to determine what the citizens want. The citizens, right now, are literally the last thing on the agenda and it needs to be the other way around," Wagy said. Grillo said she, too, was eager to see things shaken up. "I've been here four years and haven't seen much change in the downtown, my water bill has more than doubled for half the water I used to use and the downtown is an interesting combination of a few nice buildings and dilapidated properties," she said. "I would like to see the downtown become an inviting small little community and I think the first step in doing that is to see things start to get done differently than they've been getting done."   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 Oct. 24, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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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