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Fire District 5 voices opposition to Talent urban renewal plan By Morgan Rothborne Updated: Jun 28, 2022 05:14 PM A A Firefighters in Fire District No. 5 accused the city of Talent Tuesday of “gambling with public safety” over the city’s plans to create a new urban renewal district to help it rebound from the Almeda fire. The Professional Firefighters of District No. 5 and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 2596, sent out a press release calling on Talent residents to speak against the proposal at a Zoom meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday. The firefighters said the urban renewal plan would divert $17 million from the fire district to affordable housing, which they said would hobble the district’s ability to meet the needs of the 2,300 citizens it serves, to respond to 3,400 calls per year and to be prepared for fire protection, both structural and wildland, while also providing emergency medical and rescue services. The meeting Wednesday night will allow the Talent Urban Renewal Agency board to decide whether it will recommend the new urban renewal plan to Talent City Council, said Talent City Manager Jordan Rooklyn. “Ultimately, it’s the city council’s decision,” said Rooklyn, who became TURA executive director June 9. Tax districts that would lose the most money if the urban renewal district is created are the city of Talent and Jackson County, along with the fire district. All tax districts potentially affected will have the opportunity to comment on the plan. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected] or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.