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Smith waits on council vote Former congressman hopes to become Medford�s lobbyist in Washington; first ruling goes against him By Jessica Smith Former Medford congressman Bob Smith wants his company to serve as the city�s advocate on Capitol Hill. But before that can happen, Smith�s firm must overcome a blow dealt by the Medford City Council earlier this week. The council on Thursday tentatively awarded its "government relations" contract to another firm. In a tie vote decided by Mayor Lindsay Berryman, the council approved first reading of an ordinance that would continue the city�s association with Sagamore Associates, a Washington firm hired by Medford a year ago to lobby Congress. "We recommended staying with Sagamore because they now have a good feel for what the city�s needs are," said Councilman Jim Key, who sat on a selection committee that reviewed applications for the contract. "They are in a position now to really go to work for us." But a final vote on the contract could send Smith�s firm, Smith West Co., to Washington instead. Only six of the council�s eight members voted on the contract Thursday: Key, John Michaels and Bob Strosser voted to give the contract to Sagamore. Curt Bennett, Sal Esquivel and Skip Knight opposed the motion. Newly appointed member Claudette Moore abstained from voting, and Bill Moore was not present. Because of the split vote, Berryman was permitted to break the tie. She voted in favor of Sagamore. According to Key and Knight, council members Moore and Moore likely will decide which firm represents the city in Washington. A second vote on the contract is scheduled for Dec. 21. Councilman Moore was unavailable for comment Friday. Councilwoman Moore said she had yet to decide how she would vote. Smith West and Sagamore are two of three firms being considered for the job. Pac/West Communications, of Lake Oswego, also responded to the city�s request for proposals. Under the contract, the firm selected would lobby Congress through Dec. 31, 2001, to secure federal funding for Medford projects. Of the three proposals, Pac/West came in with the lowest bid, at $66,000 a year. Smith West�s bid was $72,000 a year, and Sagamore said it could do the work for $85,000 a year. In a letter to council, the selection committee recommended awarding the contract to Sagamore. The firm offers the "best combination of price, performance, and experience," the committee wrote. Knight and Esquivel said they supported Smith�s firm because of the former congressman�s record of service, his commitment to Medford and his knowledge of the Capitol. The councilmen said they also wanted to endorse a local company over one 3,000 miles away. "I can�t understand why we would want to go out of the area ... when we have such a great asset and a great statesman (Smith) who is willing to work for us," Esquivel said. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.